The FA has squashed the idea of disciplinary action against Liverpool Football Club over a demo staged in support of jailed fan Michael Shields.
The FA came under pressure to quiz Liverpool FC officials over the show of support for jailed Michael Shields before the match with West Ham last Monday.
FA chiefs were reported to be considering whether Liverpool had overstepped the mark by co-operating with a demo backing a person serving to 10 year jail stretch.
But in an official statement the FA said that following discussions with the Anfield outfit there was a decision to take no further action.
Michael, 22, was jailed in 2005 for the attempted murder of a Bulgarian waiter, Martin Georgiev, in the Bulgarian resort of Varna.
He has always said he is a victim of mistaken identity and even the Justice Minister Jack Straw is said to have "grave concerns" over the safety of the conviction.
Another Liverpool fan admitted guilt for the crime before but retracted his confession.
With Michael having served more than three years for a crime he denies the level of feeling in support of Michael is running high among Reds fans.
On Thursday 4th December three High Court Judges will conduct a Judicial Review into Jack Straw's decision that he does not have authority to grant Michael a royal pardon.
But the FA were said to be concerned at the demo in which players wore T-shirts bearing the slogan "Free Michael Now" during their warm-up and his parents appeared on the pitch.
A mosaic was also held up in the Kop spelling out Free Michael Now and the match-day programme contained an article declaring his innocence.
It said: "Liverpool fan Michael Shields should be here at Anfield for tonight's game. Instead, he will be sitting in a prison cell."
The FA's concern was said to be linked to the recent disciplinary case against the Ipswich midfielder David Norris for supporting the former Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Luke McCormick.
Norris had been charged with improper conduct over a handcuffs gesture dedicated to McCormick, who was sentenced to seven years jail for causing the death by dangerous driving. Norris was £5,000 by the FA.
But the Free Michael Shields Campaign and the Liverpool supporter's group Spirit of Shankly rejected any criticism.
Spirit of Shankly spokesman Frank McKenna said: "Michael is an innocent man who was wrongly jailed on the basis of discredited evidence in Bulgaria.
"We are delighted with the brilliant support that we have had from the managers, the players and the Club.
"We are confident that the huge groundswell of support for Michael at all levels will be vindicated when the High Court decides that Michael can be granted a pardon and he is finally set free."
A spokesman for the FA said: "We have spoken to Liverpool Football Club about this matter.
"We understand that Michael Shields' case is a very emotive issue and one that many Liverpool players and fans feel strongly about.
"Having heard the club's explanation we will not be taking any formal action, and we are satisfied that they understand the sensitivities around football matches being used as a platform for political messages."
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