PHIL BROWN RECIEVES 1,000 POUND HULL IN HIS POCKET

November 21, 2008

The Football Association has today fined Hull City manager Phil Brown £1,000 for his conduct during his side’s 5-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic at the KC Stadium in August. Brown was extremely agitated and animated on the touchline and at one point vented his frustration by kicking a water bottle. Afterwards Brown, perhaps quite instinctively, made his way to the stands before referee Michael Jones could find an opportunity to discipline him.

It is believed that the fine could have been heftier were it not for the compliant attitude of the manager. He admitted his charge of improper conduct and immediately apologised to the match officials after the game. He has also stated to the F.A. the steps himself and his club have taken to avoid such incidents in the future.

The fine comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of the F.A., provoked by the introduction of the new Respect campaign. Brown will properly take the fine without any misgivings even if this can be seen as the F.A. flexing its authority muscles during a period when the threat of a manager mutiny is in the air.

Derby manager Paul Jewell has hinted at this rebellion recently and has stated that ‘The referees deserve respect, but we can’t start respecting them if they get major decisions wrong’. Along with these comments there is also the view of Everton manager David Moyes that referees need to ‘earn respect’ of players and staff if the campaign is to work.

There is also the more extreme case of Joe Kinnear (who has become quite a controversial figure since his temporary appointment at Newcastle) labelling official Martin Atkinson as a ‘Mickey Mouse’ referee after his teams loss to Fulham at Craven Cottage. Kinnear is to face the same charge of improper conduct from the F.A. as well if he cannot explain himself. It is yet to be seen if the F.A. has decided to make an example of Kinnear.

Andy Snook

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