A Liverpool academy player who was caught punching a Manchester United youngster in the face, before elbowing him, has been banned by the FA.
Footage from the January match showed how Liverpool defender Luca Furnell-Gill attacked Ethan Wheatley in the Under 18 Premier League match, with the incident going unpunished by the referee.
In a packed match in which United won 4-3 at Carrington, the unpleasant incident occurred shortly before United scored their second equaliser.
With United on the attack, Wheatley attempted to obstruct Furnell-Gill’s attempts to close down his team-mate, but when they collided, the Liverpool player punched him before continuing his run.
Wheatley, shocked, remained on his feet but put his hands to his face and the referee did not award a free kick for the offence.
A 17-year-old Liverpool academy player who punched and elbowed his Manchester United counterpart during a match has been handed a five-game ban by the FA after admitting a disciplinary charge.
Luca Furnley-Gill had another encounter with United’s Ethan Wheatley later in the match, when the Reds youngster (in white) elbowed him but escaped a red card.
United staff were furious with Furnell-GIll’s actions during the under-18s clash in January.
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The United staff on the touchline were furious with the hit, but United star Jayce Fitzgerald made sure not to waste the opportunity when he put the ball in the back of the net moments after the incident.
But the ugly scenes didn’t end there, as the pair had another meeting later in the match.
Further footage showed how Furnell-Gill had his back to the United striker, before throwing an elbow into the 18-year-old Wheatley’s face.
An angry Wheatley responded to the blow, shoving the Liverpool defender in retaliation and Furnell-Gill somehow escaped a red card for both events.
And according MirrorFurnell-Gill received a five-match ban from the FA for his actions after admitting a disciplinary charge.
The centre-back, who has played eight times for the Reds in the Under 18 Premier League this season, has been absent in their last four games, and these are believed to be part of the suspension.
Meanwhilea report in the Liverpool ECO explained how Liverpool dealt with the matter internally, with Furnell-Gill expressing remorse for his actions after the match.
Liverpool academy director Alex Inglethorpe is also said to have contacted his Man United counterparts the morning after the match to apologise.
At the time, fans were quick to react to the X incident, insisting that the Liverpool youngster should be retrospectively suspended.
One person wrote: “It’s really disgusting, Liverpool should look into this (it’s not) right that this is happening.”
Another added: “I hope the right people see this and ban it,” before a third added: “This should result in a long ban!!!”
Furnell-Gill He joined Liverpool from Preston North End at under-15 level and is originally from Steeton, Yorkshire.
United star Wheatley has five goals to his name in the U18 Premier League this season, including one in the grudge match against the Reds on January 30.
Wheatley scored United’s first that night, while Fitzgerald, Ethan Williams and James Scanlon also scored.
Liverpool academy director Alex Inglethorpe is said to have contacted United to apologize
Wheatley (right) scored Man United’s first goal in the 4-3 thriller at Carrington in January.
Meanwhile, Trent Kone-Doherty, Kieran Morrison and Michael Laffey were the Reds’ goalscorers.
Since the intense clash, United have continued to dominate the Under 18 Premier League, having won 15 of 17 games.
They have a They have a 13-point lead over rivals Manchester City, who are second, while Liverpool are in third place, 20 points behind United.