Alan Shearer, Kenny Dalglish and Glenn Hoddle were last night united in relief at the Football Association's `not proven' verdict on allegations that the England skipper deliberately kicked Leicester midfielder Neil Lennon in the face.
Shearer has maintained all along that he did not intend to kick Lennon and he, and Dalglish, hailed the FA's verdict as a vindication of his reputation.
"I am delighted to have cleared my name and can now look forward to Saturday's Cup final and the countdown to the World Cup," said Shearer.
"I am pleased to put the record straight and in doing so clear my name. I was always confident that I would."
Dalglish was in no doubt about what the FA's decision meant and he questioned why it had been necessary for Shearer, who was not sent off by referee Martin Bodenham after his clash with Northern Ireland international Lennon in the 0-0 draw at Filbert Street, to face a hearing.
"It means that Alan's been vindicated," reasoned Dalglish. "I can't understand why it had to go this far in the first place but it's done now and out of the road totally."
Hoddle had urged the FA to resolve the matter as quickly as possible to prevent Shearer heading for France under a cloud.
Under the England coach's impetus the case was dealt with as swiftly as possible, even if the hearing in Sheffield was a closely-guarded secret.
Shearer also expressed his gratitude towards Neil Lennon, who gave evidence on the Newcastle striker's behalf.
"I was there at the hearing and I'm glad that it's over and done with. I just gave my version of the incident," said Lennon afterwards. "As far as I'm concerned, it was over and done with straight after the game. Other people have dragged it on and I don't want to say any more about it."
Shearer was asked to appear before the FA to explain his actions on the strength of TV evidence.
A three-man commission heard the evidence of Lennon and decided that the incident was provoked by a "genuine attempt to free himself" by Shearer.
"In reaching its decision the commission accepted that the incident was initially caused by Neil Lennon pulling at the shirt of Alan Shearer turning round and trapping his leg," an FA statement said. "The commission further accepted that the alleged incident of Alan Shearer swinging out with his left leg was a genuine attempt to free himself."
UEFA yesterday turned down a joint-proposal from Juventus and Real Madrid to play the European Cup Final over two legs if next Wednesday's match has to be switched from Amsterdam because of transport problems. The final could be moved from Amsterdam because legal limits on noise will prevent extra flights arriving and leaving from the city's Schiphol Airport.
UEFA has given the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) until Tuesday to resolve the crisis or else the match will be switched to another venue.
Yesterday UEFA said: "The two clubs have made an offer to UEFA that the final be played as two matches, with Turin and Madrid as the venues. This proposal has not been accepted by UEFA."
