Pompey hit with fine

The Football Association have acted after six Blues players were booked in last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Crewe.

Jon Harley, Brian Howard, Izale McLeod, Lubomir Michalik and Akos Buzsaky all received yellow cards.

Substitute Luke Rodgers, who was only on the field for three minutes, was also cautioned.

In contrast, the Railwaymen had just one player booked – Kelvin Mellor.

The £2,500 sum can be ill-afforded by a club still in administration and blighted by financial problems.

Yet that is a statutory punishment for teams who have six or more players booked in a match.

It caps a controversial performance from referee David Phillips.

The West Sussex official was booed off at both half-time and full-time by home fans.

Michael Appleton afterwards said he was ‘confused’ over the amount of bookings – the majority regarded as harsh.

His opposite number, Steve Davis, blasted an ‘inept’ performance by the referee and his officials.

The Crewe boss also disputed the awarding of a penalty after Wes Thomas fell inside the box during the first half.

Pompey now have 14 days to either pay the amount of the fine or to notify the Football Association they intend to submit mitigation.

An appeal would then be heard at a regulatory commission.

However, should Pompey be unsuccessful an increase in the fine could result.

Of those players booked, Howard is now one caution away from a suspension.

The Pompey skipper has received four yellow cards in 14 matches so far.

Meanwhile, Michalik has been booked three times.