The Football Association have found Stoke City chairman Peter Coates guilty of improper conduct over his recent criticism of referees.
Coates has been fined £5,000 for his comments which came in the wake of the Potters' 2-2 draw against West Ham United last month, in which he backed manager Mark Hughes's claims of officials showing bias towards certain teams.
An FA statement read: "Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing, Peter Coates has been fined £5,000 in relation to media comments.
"The Stoke City chairman was charged with improper conduct in that his comments alleged and/or implied bias on the part of referees and/or brought the game into disrepute.
"Mr Coates denied the charge and requested a personal hearing at which the breach of FA Rule E3(1) was found proven. He was also warned as to his future conduct and ordered to pay £1,500 towards the cost of the hearing."
Stoke are currently placed 13th in the Premier League table.
Daniel Lewis
