The FA must wait to hear from its Italian counterparts before any inquiry into the dismissal of Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on Saturday can be launched.
Hasselbaink was sent off against Udinese after allegedly punching Valerio Bertotto in a bad-tempered friendly.
If the incident is proved, last season's Premier League top scorer could receive a three-match ban.
As the game falls outside FA jurisdiction, however, the incident would need to be reported to the FA by the Italian body.
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"Any player dismissed in a friendly game overseas would have to be reported to us before anything can happen," said an FA spokesman.
- PA