Soccer Shorts: Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard will not face further punishment from the English Football Association over his "silence" gesture towards Liverpool fans after scoring against them at Anfield last Sunday.

The England star taunted opposing fans by putting his right forefinger to his lips as he wheeled away in celebration after putting Chelsea 1-0 up from the penalty spot.

He was immediately booked for unsporting behaviour by referee Graham Poll and that yellow card means the FA consider the matter closed in relation to Lampard.

However, they are looking at Poll's report of the match in relation to objects being thrown onto the pitch in reaction to the Chelsea player's celebration.

It is understood Liverpool will be contacted by the FA and asked to try to identify the culprits via video footage, but it is unlikely the club will be fined or even warned for the disturbance.

Butt banned again

Birmingham midfielder Nicky Butt has been handed a further one-match ban by the FA for using abusive and insulting words to a match official. It means he will be ruled out of the derby with Aston Villa at St Andrews on October 16th.

Butt has already served a three-game suspension after being sent off for violent conduct in the Premiership game with Portsmouth at Fratton Park on September 17th.

It was his behaviour towards a referee's assistant as he left the pitch following his red card which has led to the extra one-game ban plus an £8,500 fine.

Moyes loses Cahill battle

David Moyes has failed to prevent Tim Cahill featuring in Australia's friendly against Jamaica this weekend.

Moyes was anxious to offer his midfielder a week off after seeing the 25-year-old lose his last two summer breaks to the Olympics and Confederations Cup.

That insistence has led to a row with the Socceroos, who had hoped Cahill would link up with their squad in Mierlo, in the Netherlands, this week before Sunday's match at Craven Cottage.

Instead, Moyes has insisted upon enforcing Fifa's 48-hour rule for friendlies - preventing teams from calling up players more than two days before a match - which will mean Cahill travelling directly to London at the end of the week.

Moyes's stance has prompted a sharp reaction from the Australian set-up. "Guus (Hiddink, the Australian coach) expressed his disappointment to David Moyes that he wouldn't release Tim because every other club has been fantastic and let their players come in on time," Graham Arnold, the Socceroos' assistant coach, said. "In effect, we are copping the brunt of Everton's poor form this year."

Marseille track Cisse

Olympique Marseille will revive their interest in Liverpool's Djibril Cisse during the winter transfer window.

The French striker has been frustrated at his lack of opportunities this season, with Peter Crouch preferred, and has effectively given himself until Christmas to earn a regular starting place.

"I accept Rafael Benitez's decisions, and I am patient, but I'm not going to remain all season on the bench," Cisse told France Football magazine.

The Marseille sporting director Jose Anigo has been encouraged by Cisse's situation. "The possibility of taking Cisse on loan will firm up by the end of December," he said.

Keane backs Smith

Roy Keane believes Alan Smith has "a good chance" of taking over his role at the hub of the Manchester United midfield.

Smith has been standing in for Keane, who is currently out with a broken bone in his foot, in recent games and with the 34-year-old announcing last week this is almost certain to be his last season at United there is an opportunity for the former Leeds striker to stake a claim for the midfield role in the long term.

Keane told MUTV: "I think Alan's had an eye on the position for a while given the amount of games he played there when he was at Leeds.

"He'll be the first to admit he's got a lot to learn, but with me being out of the team he's got a great opportunity to gain some good experience and he's done well over the last few games.

"Alan needs a good run in midfield so he can gain experience against good players.

"I watched Alan during pre-season and I've had a look at him at close quarters in training and I think he's got a good chance of playing in that role.

"I've heard him talking about it recently but I like to judge players on their performances."

Keane added: "I'll happily help him out and give him advice because the role he's got to play is a very disciplined one."