Wolves given suspended fine

Molineux club penalised over Old Trafford side

Last updated: 19th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wolves given suspended fine

McCarthy and Ferguson: Suspended fine for Wolves

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Wolves have been handed a £25,000 suspended fine for fielding a weakened team in their Premier League clash at Manchester United.

Manager Mick McCarthy caused controversy when he changed all 10 outfield players for the showdown at Old Trafford on 15th December.

McCarthy elected to rest the side who had secured an impressive 1-0 victory over Tottenham just four days earlier with a view to keeping them fresh for the upcoming meeting with relegation rivals Burnley.

The Molineux side slipped to a 3-0 defeat against the Premier League champions, with the visiting fans venting their displeasure at the team selection.

But McCarthy will have felt his policy was vindicated when the Midlands club secured an important 2-0 home success against the Clarets in the following fixture.

However, the Premier League Board felt that action was necessary and have imposed the £25,000 suspended punishment.

Warranted

The Premier League said in a statement: "The Premier League Board has issued Wolverhampton Wanderers FC with a suspended £25,000 fine after deciding that the team fielded in their league fixture against Manchester United on 15 December 2009 was not full strength and therefore in breach of Rule E20.

"The board also deemed that the club had failed to fulfil its obligations to the league and other clubs in the utmost good faith and was therefore in breach of Rule B13.

"The board considered submissions from Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and had sympathy for the explanation submitted by the club in relation to similar cases from previous seasons. However the board ruled that this case could be differentiated from the other matches cited and that disciplinary action was warranted."

McCarthy said: "I accept the Premier League's decision. It was never my intention to break any of the Premier League's rules, only to pick a team that was in the best position to get a result. I'm pleased the matter is now closed."

The Premier League statement added: "In coming to this decision the board also wants to put clubs on notice that any future rule breach of this nature would be subject to a disciplinary commission that would have available a full range of sanctions."

There were suggestions at the time that Wolves owner Steve Morgan was unhappy with McCarthy's decision to make such radical alterations to his line-up.

The club's chief executive Jez Moxey believes the action of the Premier League will make other clubs think twice before fielding weakened sides in the future.

Clear warning

He said: "We are obviously disappointed but we respect the Premier League's ruling especially as they have now used our case as a clear warning to all other clubs, some of whom have made similar changes to their teams in Premier League matches in the past, that this is not acceptable in the future.

"We made a detailed representation to the Premier League and pointed to those precedents involving other clubs in previous seasons.

"This ruling may now lead to a wider discussion regarding the issue of squad rotation and the Premier League's rules.

"We look forward to fully participating in any such debate at future Premier League meetings."

Moxey gave his backing to McCarthy's team selection and added: "One thing that's never been in question is the integrity of Mick McCarthy.

"He picked a team that, in his view, was in the best possible position to get a result in that particular game.

"He made it unselfishly and with the best interests of Wolves in mind.

"Today's announcement means we can draw a line under the issue and concentrate fully on the remaining Premier League games."

Comments (75)

Lee Bidwell (Wolverhampton Wanderers fan) says...

How can the FA give us a £25,000 fine?! Whats so different from teams like Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal etc. fielding weakened sides in the FA Cup and the Carling Cup?! What a ridiculous thing to do!!!

Posted 11:06 18th February 2010

Martyn Tolley says...

I find it very unfair that the manager of any team cant field a team he thinks will benefit experiance for the other players in the squad who also will show they have the skills for top flight fooball..Also players need a rest.Top brass like fines but do nothing to help in crises for clubs

Posted 11:06 18th February 2010

Ben Hunter (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

what a joke! are the fa saying those who played against man utd are worse, the fa may aswell pick who plays for each team as if a weakend team is picked you get in trouble, may aswell have a squad of 18 maximum, and does the same for weakened sides go for the FA Cup and all league games, such as man u end of last year at hull , forget they won, they broke the law, THE FA IS A JOKE, the make it up as they go along, REFS ARE A JOKE, and they cant be touched, sack the FA

Posted 11:05 18th February 2010

Alan Who (Wolverhampton Wanderers fan) says...

I could sit here all day giving examples of times when Arsenal, Man U , Liverpool and Chelsea have done the same thing. Just goes to show that its 1 rule for the big 4 and another for the rest. UTW

Posted 11:05 18th February 2010

Cian Nolan (Manchester United fan) says...

An absurd decision. Big teams (including Man Utd) have been changing and weakening teams for years with a view to resting players for upcoming games and the Premier League don't bat an eyelid. A smaller club do the same team and are punished. The double standards are incredible!

Posted 11:05 18th February 2010

David Wheeler (Newcastle United fan) says...

This is an absolute disgrace. How many times have the likes of Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal & Liverpool fielded weaker teams before (so called) important matches. For Wolves the main objective is to stay in the premier league and matches against other teams hoping to stay up are just as important for them as european matches are for the big four. Not only that but as a manager of a club surely it's your right to pick whichever players you want for your starting XI. It's also insulting to the players that did play against Man Utd. The PL again making a ridiculous decision and turning a blind eye to what the Big 4 are doing.

Posted 11:03 18th February 2010

Richard Frost (Manchester United fan) says...

This is ridiculous.... surely that means the Premier League should have also fined Man United last season, when they fielded a weakened team against Hull on the last game of the season before the Champions League Final.... United may have won the game but they still breached Rule E20 and in the case of Wolves here then they also failed fulfil their "obligations to the league". What a joke!

Posted 11:03 18th February 2010

Paul Sultana (Manchester United fan) says...

What a ridiculous decision..... I ask: Aren't the Wolves players who played in that game offended??? Players are human and not Robots!!! And if the so called stronger eleven played Tottenham and Manchester United, I am sure they would have been tired and unable to play the next match. This leaves the coach with no option other than fielding a weaker side for the third match and still get the fine, so well done Mr.McCarthy

Posted 11:02 18th February 2010

Ging Isle of wight (Liverpool fan) says...

This is obscene! he got 6 points out of a poss 9 when they were playing a lot of games in a short period of time. Why are they questioning managers tactics? it obviously worked with regards to points! Riddle me this when arsenal,Chelsea,Liverpool and more importantly Man-u field second teams, reserves an change the whole team to play in league cup or F.A cup with out a fine or anyone saying anything, you here nothing its shameful. The poorer teams have got it hard enough with out the F.A fining them when they clearly favour the to 4 Its disgusting behaviour from the authority the should be ashamed

Posted 11:00 18th February 2010

Cathal O'shea (Arsenal fan) says...

Why is it that Arsenal can field a weakened side of young players (carling cup) and they get no punishment because they are very good youngsters? I think McCarthy is well entitled to pick whatever team he likes, just because they aren't as strong as the bigger clubs doesn't mean the rules should be any different for them. Arsenal get praised for encouraging youth development, Wolves get fined!

Posted 10:59 18th February 2010

Craig Seddon (Manchester United fan) says...

Silly rule this!! Does this mean then, that if Fergie rests Rooney for a game, or Wenger rests Fabregas, that they will get fined for not playing their best players. You have to respect the managers decision to pick the team he feels is best for the day

Posted 10:59 18th February 2010

M Con (Liverpool fan) says...

This is the mick mccarthey, who, last week when they won at tottenham said. "It's been proved this season that teams like us can get points off the big teams. We've got Chelsea and Manchester United coming up, who's to say we won't take points off them?" Also, after the Burnley game, the next 5 games they didnt win!

Posted 10:58 18th February 2010

John Davies (Wolverhampton Wanderers fan) says...

What a joke and a disgrace, so what they are saying is that managers DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO PICK THEIR TEAM, McCarthy chose the team out of a squad of players, the same squad team sheet (apart from some new additions) that has been on the back of the matchday magazine all season of which there were 8 internationals, it doesn't surprise me has the big teams do it every week, Aresenal in particular. Maybe the PLB should look at doing their own jobs - re: Portsmouth - what is going on there is nothing short of disgracefull and is bringing the PL into disrepute with the help of the PLB. Any other business outside of football would have been wound up long ago and gone into administration at the very least, but being a PL club, they are more concerned with it's image! PLB lets have the same playing field for "ALL" clubs and not the few "BIG" clubs.

Posted 10:58 18th February 2010

John Davies (Wolverhampton Wanderers fan) says...

What a joke and a disgrace, so what they are saying is that managers DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO PICK THEIR TEAM, McCarthy chose the team out of a squad of players, the same squad team sheet (apart from some new additions) that has been on the back of the matchday magazine all season of which there were 8 internationals, it doesn't surprise me has the big team do it every week, Aresenal in particular. Maybe the PLB should look at doing their own jobs - re: Portsmouth - what is going on there is nothing short of disgracefull and is bringing the PL into disrepute with the help of the PLB. Any other business outside of football would of been wound up long ago and gone into administration at the very least, but being a PL club, they are more concerned with it's image! PLB lets have the same playing field for "ALL" clubs and not the few "BIG" clubs.

Posted 10:56 18th February 2010

Red Devil (Manchester United fan) says...

that is a joke, im a united fan and a keano fan so i dont like mick mccarthy but how can they fine wolves for picking a team. the manager has a list of players to pick from and he did, what will the punishment be for teams if they play a player that is unregistered. The Premier League board is a joke and should go and take a long hard look at themselves. wise up

Posted 10:56 18th February 2010

Xander Den harder (Manchester United fan) says...

I think this is ridiculous. Any team has the right to field whatever team they want. It is called a squad game and not a 11 + substitutes only. A squad is made up of 20 plus players so you can use them when you want. All teams have done it once in a while anyway fielding a weakened side. Sorry Wolves you shouldnt have been punished for playing the game!!

Posted 10:55 18th February 2010

David Parsons (Swansea City fan) says...

Quite understand Mick McCarthy's reasons for fielding a weakened team knowing he is probably going to lose the game against Man Utd anyway but what about the fans who have paid £50s and more and travelled a 100 miles to see their team compete against the best team in the country , I think they deserve better.

Posted 10:53 18th February 2010

Alex O (Manchester United fan) says...

What about all the times man utd have done that? Like last game of the season against hull last year...

Posted 10:52 18th February 2010

Matt Farr (Chelsea fan) says...

So does this mean that any time any club decides to rest their players for a game they will be punished? This happens every week in the Premiership and I personally don't see a problem with it. Afterall, players are human and need a rest. I understand that this incident was extreme, but from the comments by the premier league it can be interpreted that they won't stand for squad rotation, which sets a dangerous precedent.

Posted 10:52 18th February 2010

Mike King (Ipswich Town fan) says...

Thats absolutely ridiculous its McCarthy's perogative to field whatever side he wants. The premier league is just making money off of nothing. Its complete rubbish teams field every top team fields weakened sides in the Carling Cup but do they get penalised NO what garbage this is. Just a money making waste of time.

Posted 10:51 18th February 2010

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