WINSFORD United boss Joe Gibiliru has been cleared of making threats to a linesman.

It was alleged he made a serious threat to the referee’s assistant during Blues’ game at Trafford on October 27, which ended 1-1.

But the case fell apart at the Cheshire FA hearing this week when Gibiliru strenuously denied the accusation and was supported by club secretary Bob Astles.

The first United knew of the matter was when Astles was summoned to the officials’ changing room after the game had finished.

Astles said: “I was behind Joe in the dugout for the whole of the second half and I did not hear anything other than the normal banter that goes on.

“It’s a mystery how the charge came about.”

The two officials also attended the hearing, but the linesman did not help his case by not immediately reporting the alleged threat to the referee as required by the rules. Instead, he waited until after the final whistle.