Allardyce fined over ref tirade

Allardyce was angered by Riley

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has been fined £2,000, severely censured and warned as to his future conduct by the Football Association.

The fine and warning relate to comments he made about referee Mike Riley after the 0-0 draw at Blackburn on 14 January when Hidetoshi Nakata was sent off.

Following the match Allardyce said: "The stats just don't stand up when he referees us.

"In my opinion, it is not good enough - he nearly caused a riot."

The match between the Trotters and Rovers was a bad-tempered affair that led to Bolton's Nakata being sent off for two yellow cards.

Allardyce had added: "I see it like this. Hidetoshi Nakata committed three fouls and got sent off; Robbie Savage committed three fouls and didn't get booked, that's nothing against Robbie Savage.

"Give me a minute and I will just prove what the referee has done today and what he's done in the past.

"He's refereed us seven times and we've had five players sent off, four in the first half.

"Those stats say it all, it's blatant inconsistency - in my opinion simply not good enough.

"The statistics speak for themselves."

Allardyce admitted a charge of improper conduct.

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes said at the time: "Both sides would argue the referee didn't have his best game but can't argue about the sending off."