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Troy Deeney has escaped a ban for his middle-finger goal celebration against Chelsea – but the FA have warned his about his future conduct.

Watford feared their captain could be hammered with a four-match ban – two games for the insulting gesture, plus another two for previous red-card offences this season.

But a panel of three ex-referees could not agree unanimously that Deeney's action would have warranted him being sent off if it had been spotted by match official Mike Dean at Vicarage Road on Monday night.

It means Deeney, who has already missed seven games through suspension this season, will be available for Watford's trip to Arsenal next month – where he will face the music for his comments that the Gunners lacked “cojones” in their 2-1 defeat at Vicarage Road in October.

(Image: REX/Shutterstock) (Image: REUTERS)

An FA spokesman said: “Video footage was referred to a panel of three elite former match officials, who were asked to consider independently whether it was a red card offence.

“The response was not unanimous, therefore no disciplinary action will follow. Nevertheless, the FA will write to the player and warm him as to his future conduct.”

Watford believe a four-match ban would have been an excessive outcome given the frivolous nature of Deeney's offence.

(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

But the Hornets also felt they were due a break on the disciplinary front after a rash of red cards before Christmas where, at face value, the tackles for which they were punished were less serious than others for which more celebrated players were granted immunity.

Deeney had claimed his celebration was a response to the “transfer talk and speculation” about his future during the transfer window, saying: “That was a case of letting everyone know I saw everything and I am still here.”