Tal Ben Haim was today cleared of a Football Association charge

Bolton defender Tal Ben Haim was today cleared of a Football Association charge for allegedly over-reacting to being shoved in the face by Wayne Rooney.

Rooney was banned for three matches after admitting a charge of violent conduct following their clash at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.

Although the FA charged Ben Haim with improper conduct for his reaction to the incident, he denied the accusation and requested a personal hearing, at which he was cleared today.

Manager Sam Allardyce said: "I am very pleased with this decision. We were always confident."

Ben Haim attended today's hearing to give evidence along with referee Dermot Gallagher, whose view would be expected to have carried considerable weight with the independent commission.

Allardyce had argued: "Ben Haim has not done anything wrong and he has not broken any rules. The rules say that you can't put your hands up in somebody's face, no matter how small or how big."

Ben Haim is clear to face Fulham in the FA Cup on Saturday.