RACING: Kieren Fallon will not have to face a Jockey Club inquiry into whether he brought racing into disrepute over articles published in the News Of The World.

The Jockey Club has decided not to proceed with the disciplinary inquiry, which also concerned fellow rider John Egan, after consultation with its legal advisers.

Club spokesman John Maxse said: "We no longer consider that there is sufficient evidence to merit a disciplinary hearing."

The former champion jockey and his colleague were the subject of allegations made by the Sunday newspaper last March after undercover reporters met the pair. A dossier was handed over to the Jockey Club.

Maxse said: "There can be no argument that the articles in question and the accompanying media coverage in general damaged the reputation of British racing.

"After reviewing the dossier initially handed over by the News Of The World, it was considered that there was evidence to warrant holding an inquiry which would seek to establish whether or not Kieren Fallon and John Egan, through their dealings with the reporters, were culpable for the ensuing negative coverage racing received.

"Since that decision was taken, however, additional material from the News Of The World has been received. After examining the material in total and having taken advice from our legal team, we no longer consider that there is sufficient evidence to merit a hearing."

As well as informing solicitors representing Fallon and Egan, the Jockey Club has also informed the City Of London Police of the decision not to proceed with the inquiry.

Maxse continued: "The decision not to proceed was taken in light of the legal advice we have received, having finally been able to examine the dossier in its entirety.

"The police investigation is much broader in scope than the matters which were to form the basis of the Jockey Club inquiry into Kieren Fallon and John Egan's conduct with the News Of The World undercover reporters."

Fallon's solicitor, Christopher Stewart-Moore, said: "He (Fallon) has instructed his solicitors to obtain a retraction from the News Of The World.

"All there is left now is to resolve the police matter, and then begin libel proceedings.

"We sent a letter to the News Of The World two months ago, but have not received a reply, so we will now plan how to proceed next."