Wolves fined £25k for fielding weakened side against Man Utd

McCarthy has come in for plenty of criticism over his decision

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Thursday, 18, Feb 2010 12:37

By Will Haine.

Wolves have been hit with a suspended £25,000 fine by the Premier League after fielding a weakened team against Manchester United in December.

The Molineux side slipped to a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford, with manager Mick McCarthy's ten changes to his starting line-up the main talking point.

McCarthy took the unprecedented step in a midweek fixture against the reigning champions with a view to playing a fresh first choice XI in a relegation clash against Burnley five days later.

But, despite the frustration of the travelling fans at Old Trafford, McCarthy's decision was vindicated when his side ran out 2-0 winners against the Clarets at home.

However, the 51-year-old was found to be in breach of Premier League rule E20 - which states that a full strength side must be chosen for all league games. The league board also found the club guilty of breaking rule B13 by failing "to fulfil its obligations to the league and other clubs in the utmost good faith".

Wolves chief-executive Jez Moxey said: "We are obviously disappointed but we respect the Premier League's ruling especially as they have now used our case as a clear warning to all other clubs, some of whom have made similar changes to their teams in Premier League matches in the past, that this is not acceptable in the future.

"One thing that's never been in question is the integrity of our first-team manager, Mick McCarthy.

"He picked a team that, in his view, was in the best possible position to get a result in that particular game. He made it unselfishly and with the best interests of Wolves in mind."

Former Republic of Ireland and Sunderland boss McCarthy was relieved that the matter had been laid to rest.

"I accept the Premier League's decision," he said.

"It was never my intention to break any of the Premier League's rules, only to pick a team that was in the best position to get a result.

"I'm pleased the matter is now closed."

Wolves are currently 16th in the Premier League standings - just one point above the drop zone.