Pompey hit with FA fine

PORTSMOUTH have been handed a £10,000 fine by the Football Association after their Bramall Lane battle with Sheffield United that ended with a total of 10 bookings and one sending off.

An amazing game eventually saw The Blades grab a 4-3 win with a last-minute Paul Furlong penalty, but the scrappy encounter saw the referee brandishing his card eight times at Pompey players, as they kept up their poor disciplinary record.

Captain Shaun Derry was booked and later shown a straight red card, and their ill behaviour has landed them the FA fine, and they could now face an investigation.

Only last month Graham Rix's side had seven booked and two sent off against Bradford City, and their second misdemeanour has earned them a hefty fine and possible inquiry.

FA rules state that club's receive an automatic fine if they have six or more booked during a game, and Pompey's poor record is affecting their form.

Rix is concerned that he is being forced to change his squad around after having collected 71 bookings this season, and having four sent off.

"I don't think we deserved to have that many booked but we cannot afford to keep having players booked and sent off. It means I have to keep chopping and changing," said Rix.