London - Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was warned on Tuesday over a gesture he made about referee Phil Dowd following his side's 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day of the season. Benitez, angered by the decision not to award a penalty for what seemed to be a barge on Andriy Voronin, made rings of his fingers and held them to his eyes as though to simulate spectacles.
"A regulatory commission of the FA has found Mr Rafael Benitez guilty of misconduct in relation to a breach of FA Rule E3, arising out of a gesture made by him during a post-match briefing," said the statement released by the disciplinary commission.
"The commission noted Mr Benitez's previous exemplary disciplinary record over 23 years as a coach and manager at the highest level of the sport.
"Taking into account all relevant factors, the commission concluded that the appropriate penalty was to warn Mr Benitez as to his future conduct with regards to interviews and press briefings."
