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Andre Villas-Boas has blasted the FA for not banning Fernando Torres - and labelled the decision a "joke" and a "disgrace".

The Chelsea striker faced a lengthened ban after scratching Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen's face, but the FA decided not to take any further action.

And speaking before tomorrow's Europa League tie against Anzhi, the Spurs boss said: "It’s extremely difficult to know where to start. Obviously, it's almost a farcical decision. It doesn’t matter to me which player or club is involved.

"Neither do I want to with my words put into question Fernando’s integrity; neither their manager’s in trying to defend our position. I think the FA has made a decision that's almost a joke. It looks incredible.

"How can you see the images and come out without punishment on something that overtakes all professional behaviour?"

He added: "I think the decision is a disgrace. If the committee can’t solve such clear images I don’t think it sets a good first example. We’re not asking nobody to retract themselves; the player to retract themselves. That would not be fair.

(Image: Reuters)

"This is a competition and in the end they came up with what they thought was fair for that.

"We don’t want Fernando suspended because it can make them weaker because their bench is so strong, whoever comes in for them makes them even strong, but I think the FA has lost the opportunity to put some sense into the images everybody saw.

"I’m grateful for ex-refs to be able to enlighten people a little bit more, though I think most of you guys saw the incident as something that is no tolerable in football."

But AVB welcomed his winger Andros Townsend’s post-match confession that he deserved his booking for diving in the same match.

“I think he was right to correct himself straight away,” said the Portuguese boss.

“His pace is absolutely incredible so you can easily understand, as with Gareth (Bale), that any contact might affect the balance of the player but I don’t think we have enough examples to call him a cheating player.

“In regards to the future it will come with actions, not with words, but I’m sure someone who comes out with such a strong statement is able to continue to avoid that part of his game.”