Raheem Sterling Cannot Be Banned for Swansea Slap, Insists Gary Neville

Raheem Sterling could face an FA charge after appearing to slap Swansea defender Federico Fernandez in Liverpool's 4-1 win on Monday night—but Sky pundit Gary Neville believes the player should not be disciplined by the governing body.

Luke Augustus of the Mail Online reported Neville's comments, with the England assistant coach describing the Reds attacker as "lucky" to not be sent off, but he added a ban cannot be forthcoming:

He's [Sterling] a lucky boy. (Papiss) Cisse's been charged retrospectively today. I think the referee and the linesman have both seen this and Howard Webb said a few weeks ago that this is a sending off. Cisse will get a three-game ban for violent conduct but how are the referee and linesman going to give credibility where both can say they haven't seen these two incidents.

It cannot happen where they say they haven't seen it so I think Sterling will get away with it because the referee can't put it in his report that he hasn't seen it. How he, the linesman, tomorrow, can write in his report that he didn't see it will mean that I think he will lose credibility, I really do.

Sterling has been Liverpool's best player this term, dragging the Anfield club slowly back up the table after a disastrous end to 2014.

Despite almost winning the Premier League title last season, Brendan Rodgers has seen his team plummet down the division this term, but performances and results are now starting to improve with Sterling leading the attack in a revised formation.

The 20-year-old now has four goals and as many assists in the Premier League, per WhoScored.com, and Rodgers will hope the FA does not suspend the player during the middle of his improving form.

Violent conduct often carries a minimum ban of three matches, which could see Sterling miss most of Liverpool's programme of fixtures in January, if he is charged and found guilty.

Reds legend Jamie Carragher also gave his opinion about the incident on Monday Night Football, per Augustus, reiterating Neville's stance that Sterling was lucky not to see a red card:

I think he [Sterling] was lucky. Fernandez was tight and aggressive and earlier on in the night Sterling was frustrated with his tackling. He gives a push then Fernandez gives Sterling a clip with the left hand before Sterling throws his hand, it's not a punch, but we've seen people sent off for things like this.

The result now sees the Anfield giants move up to eighth in the league—and a marked improvement in their most recent form.

Liverpool now sit fifth in the Premier League form guide after three wins in their last six games, with only one solitary defeat after losing 3-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

As Neville points out, the referee's report is crucial in determining whether Sterling is banned. Retrospective punishment has certainly increased in recent times, and if the officials say they did not see the incident, Sterling will be charged.

However, TV footage appears to show the officials looking directly as the incident when it took place, which may save the Liverpool star.

The incident could have been dealt with by the referee with a simple yellow card—but his lack of action could suggest he did not fully see Sterling's actions.

Liverpool now face a worrying few hours before they learn of Sterling's fate. They cannot lose him now with their European qualification ambitions riding on the England international.