Preston fine Jermaine Beckford and Eoin Doyle for shocking on-field fight… and use money to refund fans
The pair received straight red cards for their role in the incident in Preston North End's 2-1 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday
JERMAINE BECKFORD and Eoin Doyle have both been fined for their role in the on-field brawl against Sheffield Wednesday that saw the pair receive straight red cards.
Preston North End have fined the team-mates for their embarrassing and needless scrap last weekend, with the money being used to refund the supporters who attended the 2-1 loss at Hillsborough.
With the game approaching the full-time whistle, Beckford became enraged when Doyle failed to send him through on goal.
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The former Leeds striker confronted the Irishman angrily, and the pair became embroiled in a scuffle, with the rest of their team-mates rushing over to separate the two.
Doyle had earlier scored in the match as they looked to find a late equaliser, and before the incident had a man advantage after Wednesday's Fernando Forestieri was sent off.
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Manager Simon Grayson was left furious after the match, and has recently said: "The fans who travelled to Sheffield Wednesday were let down by the actions of Jermaine Beckford and Eoin Doyle and it is only right that the fines imposed on the players are used to refund the cost of the ticket money for the fixture.
"It has been made very clear to the players and the squad as a whole that this behaviour is not acceptable by any employee of Preston North End and a swift and strong response was important, however, it has now been dealt with and the matter is closed."
In an official club statement, Preston said: "On top of the punishment Beckford and Doyle will receive from the FA for their sendings off, they have also been fined by the club for their actions.
"These fines will be used to repay all Preston North End supporters who attended the trip to Hillsborough the cost of their ticket money back."
Earlier, Beckford and Doyle issued a joint statement condemning their actions and apologised for the heated confrontations.
The statement issued on Preston's website, said: "Our behaviour was not acceptable in any walk of life, let alone on a football pitch.
'We let down the management, our team-mates and most importantly the supporters, who had spent a lot of money to support the team.
'We accept the punishment given to us by the club and The FA and fully support the club's decision to refund the ticket costs to the supporters.
"We have apologised to the manager, the staff and our team-mates and hope that the supporters accept our total remorse for the incident.
"It is our intention to now put this behind us and to give our all for the benefit of Preston North End going forward."
The Lilywhites sit in the bottom half of the table occupying 14th spot, incredibly just six points off the play-off places, and six points above the relegation zone.
