Clubs fined for indiscipline

Derby's discipline has not improved sufficiently

The Football Association has fined four clubs a total of £35,000 for failing to improve the disciplinary records of their players last season.

Sheffield Wednesday, city rivals United, Derby County and Tranmere Rovers have had suspended fines from the end of the 2000-01 season partly invoked.

Derby, relegated from the Premiership last season, must now pay £15,000, while Second Division Tranmere have been fined £10,000.

The two Sheffield clubs must each hand over £5,000.

An FA disciplinary commission ruled none of the four teams had sufficiently improved their disciplinary records last season to ensure the suspended fines would be erased.

"The commission met Derby to discuss a £100,000 suspended fine that that was left in place at the end of season 2000-01 for a bad disciplinary record during the season," a statement on the FA website revealed.

"It decided that the club had not shown substantial improvement in discipline during season 2001-02 and therefore activated £15,000 of the suspended fine.

"The remaining £85,000 fine will remain suspended until the end of season 2002-03, in which time the club must show a substantial improvement in discipline in comparison to season 2001-02 to enable the committee to waive the £85,000 fine."

Tranmere and the Sheffield clubs were each originally handed £50,000 suspended fines.

They were given similar warnings by the FA and will have to pay the remaining part of their fines if they do not improve this season.