Red Devils naughty behaviour punished with minuscule penalty

Image: PA Photos

For receiving a mammoth seven yellow cards during their deadlocked visit to Stamford Bridge yesterday, Manchester Utd were treated to an automatic fine of £25k. Throughout the match, Rio Ferdinand was in a typically vocal mood, while the team in red could have learned nothing about respect from their manager, who spent most of the game indulging in his favourite pastime of haranguing the fourth official.

Manchester Utd certainly deserve reprimanding for their disrespectful demeanor, yet the impunity of a £25k is problematic; as Adrian Chiles pointed out on MOTD2, it works out as the equivalent of fining fellow pundit Lee Dixon five pence. The chaps at the Beeb show even suggested sending off a nominated player if six or more yellow cards are received by a single team.

So, should the fine be increased in order to genuinely reprimand the big boys? Would it be a better system if the fine money went straight to charity? Or should it be scrapped all together? Let us know with a vote and comment below…