Newcastle United managing director Derek Llambias has revealed the club are going to ask the FA to change their policies on retrospective punishments after hearing that Wigan's Callum McManaman will face no action for his horror tackle on left-back Massadio Haidara.

The FA said they would be taking no retrospective action against McManaman for the tackle, which caused Haidara to be stretchered off the pitch, because in referee Mark Halsey's notes it was stated than one or more officials had seen the incident.

But Llambias insisted that the rules are clearly inept at dealing with these kinds of situations, arguing that a more consistent system needs to be introduced to punish players correctly.

Massadio Haidara
Newcastle want the FA to change their disciplinary procedures after a horror tackle on Massadio Haidara goes unpunished.

"It is clear from this decision that the current disciplinary procedures are not fit for purpose," Llambias said, in a statement obtained by Sky Sports.

"Newcastle United, along with other clubs, have had players suspended for incidents reviewed after the game. Whilst not trivialising these incidents, they were not, in our opinion, of the seriousness of Callum McManaman's tackle on Haidara.

"Whilst we understand that the current procedures give the FA limited options, it cannot be correct that the most serious offences can go unpunished, even if the original incident was seen by match officials.

"We will now be making a strong representation to the FA and the Premier League to see how a more appropriate, fair and even-handed disciplinary process can be introduced at the earliest opportunity."

Yesterday Wigan chairman Dave Whelan insisted that the challenge was fair, and that McManaman was looking for the ball when he collided with Haidara's leg.

But Llambias had different ideas over the situation, saying: "It was not a fair challenge. This view is shared by countless former players, referees and well-respected media commentators. Indeed it appears to be only Dave Whelan who takes a contrary view."

For Haidara, the wait continues to find out how long he will be out of action for.

Llambias said of the defender, who moved to Newcastle this January and only played twice in the Premier League: "Contrary to comments in the media, there is currently no timescale for his recovery."