FA Fine Pool £25000

Last updated : 27 January 2011 By INOIT

Blackpool have been fined £25,000 by the Premier League for fielding a weakened team in a league game against Aston Villa on 10 November. The Premier League Board has found the club guilty of breaches of Rules B.13 and E.20 in relation to the team fielded by the Club.

Ian Holloway made 10 changes to the side that drew 2-2 against Everton at Bloomfield Road the Saturday before.

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway had threatened to resign if the club were fined, later saying: "I'm the manager and I manage the players how I want."

In reaching a decision the Board took into account the team fielded by Blackpool in its match against West Ham United on 13 November 2010 and in subsequent League matches. The Board also considered the team fielded in the FA Cup Round tie versus Southampton FC and Ian Holloway's comments concerning the team selected for that game.

The Board was also mindful of the fact that as recently as June 10 2010, following the introduction of the League's new Home Grown Player and Squad Rules the Clubs considered but ruled out removing Rule E.20 and the Board is therefore committed to applying it in such extreme cases.

The Seasiders have 14 days to decide whether to appeal against the fine.