AFC BOURNEMOUTH: CHERRIES FINED

Bournemouth have been handed a £2,500 fine by the Football Association for failing to control their players following their match with Hartlepool at the weekend.

The Cherries' players thought Pools' midfielder Andy Monkhouse should have been sent off in the game and surrounded the referee after his challenge on Warren Cummings.

Chairman Eddie Mitchell accepted the punishment, "We can never condone mass confrontation or players surrounding the referee. But in this case I can understand why the players reacted as they did. We will be accepting the charges and paying the fine."

Hartlepool were also charged following the game, and they have decided to challenge the ruling by the Football Association.

A statement on their website read, "Having reviewed footage supplied by the FA, it clearly shows the Bournemouth players approaching the incident and causing the so called 'mass confrontation' and the club intend to challenge the charge."