Hull´s Brown fined over ref remarks

Hull manager Phil Brown was fined 2,500 pounds on Wednesday for remarks he made regarding referee Mike Riley following the Tigers’ FA Cup loss away to Premier League rivals Arsenal in March.

Brown denied the charge but a Football Association regulatory commission hearing ruled against him Wednesday, and he was also warned about his future conduct.

The match was one of the most contentious in the 2008-09 English season with Hull accusing Cesc Fabregas of spitting at assistant manager Brian Horton, although the Arsenal captain was later cleared by the FA.

“At a regulatory commission hearing today, Hull City manager Phil Brown was fined 2,500 pounds,” an FA statement said.

“Brown denied a charge of improper conduct and/or bringing the game into disrepute in relation to media comments concerning the referee Mike Riley, made following Hull’s FA Cup tie against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on 17 March.

“At the hearing today, Brown was fined and warned as to his future conduct.”

Brown accused Riley of a “disgraceful” performance and of being influenced by the Arsenal fans.

He said after the match: “We’ve not been beaten by Arsenal; we’ve been beaten by the referee and the linesman. The game was turned on its head when the referee succumbed to local pressure.

“You had better ask Mike Riley how much that will cost us. I’m sure he wouldn’t have the faintest idea.”