There are actually a few cases like this rumbling about....one involved Sunderland who fielded an ineligible player (International clearance) and they could similarly have been docked the points gained in 4 matches (and thrust further into relegation trouble) but were fined instead.

My Club is not appealing the decision - if they did (just to complete the process, as required (I think) for a referral) the Assoc. might deem it frivolous, dismiss it and seek to recover the whole cost from the club before it could be escalated. The problem is the rule is clear and men in blazers don't really recognise the words fair or just. Just so annoying that a person can make an 'error' and then, after being sacked, can report a club for his error. >.<