Ayling will not pursue Harwood-Bellis allegation

The Football Association will not take action against Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis after a verbal altercation with Middlesbrough's Luke Ayling during Tuesday's Championship play-off semi-final.

Just before half-time the two defenders were seen exchanging words before referee Andrew Madley was spoken to, with reports emerging at the break, external that Harwood-Bellis was alleged to have made a discriminatory comment.

But following a review of Madley's report, no action will be taken after Ayling chose to not pursue the allegation.

Saints beat Boro 2-1 on aggregate, reaching the Championship play-off final thanks to Shea Charles' extra-time winner.

After Harwood-Bellis and Ayling clashed during the game, the referee spoke to managers Tonda Eckert and Kim Hellberg on the sideline before play continued moments later.

Eckert reacted angrily while being briefed on the situation, and had to be restrained by the referee and fourth official as he engaged in another fiery exchange with Hellberg.

"I don't think this is my place to say," Hellberg said to the media after the game.

"On the pitch things happen and it's not my role to explain in terms of that, it's better that the people involved do that.

"I think [Eckert's aggression] was in the heat of the moment, and feelings and emotions which are things we love about football.

"I don't know exactly about that situation but Luke is of course devastated we have not gone through."

After the game Eckert was also yet to be fully briefed on the situation, but said the two players had spoken.

"I don't have an understanding of the situation yet," Eckert said in his post-match media conference.

"But I have seen that the two of them spoke straight after the game and there was obviously a lot of emotions, but they seemed fine - so I need to check with him [Harwood-Bellis] what happened exactly."