SOUTHAMPTON have been fined £20,000 by the Football Association after admitting a charge of failing to control their players during last weekend’s match at Norwich.
Saints were charged on Tuesday for the unsavoury scenes that followed referee Mark Clattenburg’s decision to award a penalty for a Luke Shaw foul on Grant Holt.
Artur Boruc kept out Holt’s subsequent spot-kick but Saints players continued to protest after the 0-0 draw and were joined on the pitch by manager Mauricio Pochettino.
While admitting responsibility, it is understood Southampton highlighted to the FA that such behaviour is not a regular occurrence and that it was the first time they had faced such a charge.
Southampton also pointed to the circumstances surrounding what they felt was an unjust penalty award by referee Clattenburg.
Southampton will want to quickly move on from the incident and have the opportunity to do so when Liverpool come to St Mary’s today.
The match will see Pochettino come up against highly-rated Philippe Coutinho, who he worked with at Espanyol last season.
Saints were reportedly interested in bringing in the 20-year-old midfielder during the January transfer window, only to be beaten to the signing by Liverpool.
Pochettino was coy when asked whether he had tried to lure Coutinho to the south coast, but more forthcoming when asked about the quality of the player in line to start at St Mary’s tomorrow.
“What has happened in the past, happened in the past,” Pochettino said. “We can’t change it or do anything about it. Actually, talking about it is not going to do anything positive either.
“Philippe has a special magic in his feet.”
