CIARON Brown has been cleared of any wrongdoing after the FA closed an investigation into the Oxford United defender.

Brown’s booking during the Emirates FA Cup defeat at home to Arsenal in January was being looked into by the FA due to alleged spot-fixing.

United have now confirmed that the FA has closed its investigation and that no further action will be taken.

Brown told the club website: “It’s good to finally get it over and done with. I knew nothing about the allegations at all and had absolutely no involvement.

“To have that hanging over my head for two-thirds of the season was hard to deal with but I fully understand that the FA needed to check all the evidence.

“I want to thank my family, and the club who have been totally supportive throughout this process. Now I just want to concentrate on my football and enjoy a successful new season.”

The FA had opened an inquiry into suspicious betting patterns surrounding the yellow card.

Brown was booked in the 59th minute after wrestling Eddie Nketiah to the ground, as he fought to win the ball while the U’s were on the attack and the score still goalless.

The FA Cup third round clash went on to finish 3-0 to the Gunners.

Brown was a double-winner at United’s end of season awards, with the 25-year-old scooping both the men’s players’ player of the year and the Andrew Knapton supporters’ player of the year.

The Northern Ireland international made 49 appearances during the 2022/23 campaign, after joining the U’s on a permanent basis in the summer.

Brown initially joined the club on loan from Cardiff City, but signed permanently after his release by the Bluebirds.