A FOOTBALL linesman who sparked an FA inquiry after making critical comments about a team and its ground has escaped punishment after apologising.

Neil Yates, from Rishton, said his comments about Blackpool FC, who he described using their terrace nickname "donkey lashers", had been "colloquial" and "not meant to cause offence".

He described Doncaster as "abysmal", the pies at Blackpool's Bloomfield Road ground's "barely edible" and their stadium "half built".

Mr Yates had posted his message on ClaretsMad a Burnley fans' website which is independent of the club after running the line at a League One game between Blackpool and Doncaster Rovers last month.

His comments were reported to the Football League, which in turn informed the Football Association's Referees Committee.

The FA has confirmed that no action will be taken against Mr Yates, who had missed two games while they investigated the allegations.

Mr Yates said he had apologised to the FA's Compliance Unit, while the refereeing committee had "admonished" him and "reminded me of my duties".

In a statement posted on the ClaretsMad website at the weekend, Mr Yates said: "The language used in my post was intended to be colloquial and to cause no offence.

"When challenged by the League I immediately accepted culpability for the comments and the matter was referred to the Compliance Unit of the FA for consideration.

"At the same time the matter was publicised in both the local and national media.

"For a private and professional match official, it was an extremely difficult period of my life.

"This week I have received a letter from them admonishing me, reminding me of my responsibilities, but concluding that the two games I have missed since the start of the investigation will be sufficient punishment.

"That means that I can happily get back to officiating.

"At this stage I will write to the two clubs involved explaining my comments and assuring them of my future impartiality and integrity.

"Sadly as a consequence of this sorry episode, I will no longer be able to post on ClaretsMad."

Mr Yates received hundreds of messages of support from users of the website after the FA investigation was announced.

During the Blackpool and Doncaster match, Mr Yates had been hit by a cigarette lighter thrown from the stands.

At the time of the incident, the Blackpool manager Simon Grayson said he was surprised by the linesman's comments.

Nobody from Blackpool FC was available to comment today.