Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has been fined £25,000 by the Football Association after criticising referee Peter Bankes in a post-match interview following last month's 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
The Spaniard, who has yet to win a league match with Fulham this season, suggested Bankes had been biased, referencing a foul on Harry Maguire that was awarded against Fulham youngster Josh King.
Comments after draw
In his post-match remarks, Arbeloa said: "All fouls for them. You can see before they scored, the foul against [Harry] Maguire, he's a guy who is 100 kilos. Every decision was for them."
He added: "And I knew. I knew after the game against Man City that they [would not] let Manchester United lose here. We deserved a little bit more."
FA statement
The FA said in a statement: "It was alleged that the Fulham head coach acted in an improper manner by making comments in a post-match interview that imply bias and/or question the integrity of a match official. Alvaro Arbeloa subsequently admitted the charge."
Arbeloa received a written warning alongside the fine.
Pressure mounts
Fulham sit bottom of the Premier League after six matches with two points, despite significant summer investment. Standard Sport reported earlier this week that Arbeloa faces the sack with just two matches to save his career.
Last weekend's 2-1 defeat by Ipswich, where Fulham conceded in the 88th and 92nd minutes after holding the lead, has been seen as a low point. If results do not improve against Hull City or Coventry, the club's hierarchy may be forced to act.
