Rio Ferdinand will escape any punishment from Uefa for sarcastically applauding referee Cuneyt Cakir after Manchester United’s controversial Champions League exit on Tuesday night.

The defender confronted the Turkish official after his decision to send off Nani during the Champions League last-16 match against Real Madrid which United lost 3-2 on aggregate.

Cakir, however, has decided not to take any further action against Ferdinand, although United will face a rap for Sir Alex Ferguson’s media snub.

A Uefa spokesman said: ‘From the report we have received from the referee we will not take any action apart from the disciplinary proceedings against Manchester United for the red card of Nani and for post-match media obligations not being fulfilled.’

Fuming United manager Sir Alex Ferguson refused to speak to any media following the match, as did all of his players.