Bantams boss Graham Alexander fined for blast at Walsall ref

Alexander admitted an FA charge of acting in an improper manner and/or using insulting words during his post-match interviews by making comments that implied bias and/or questioned the integrity of a match official.

The Bantams chief was furious with Smith’s handling of the 2-1 loss – and accused the referee of favouring the home side with his decisions.

He said afterwards: “Fine, if you’re going to give free-kicks then give them against both teams. You have to be the same but it was one-way traffic.

“We got nothing in 50/50 duels. Both teams had a big striker – one was allowed to compete, one wasn’t, so it was quite consistent throughout the game.”

Wigan official Smith booked five City players – compared with one from Walsall – as well as showing the yellow card to Alexander and goalkeeping coach Colin Doyle.

Alexander sent a letter of mitigation to the FA’s disciplinary hearing and City also compiled a video of potential refereeing errors – but the clips were not considered as relevant to the charge by the panel.

The commission ruled that Alexander’s post-match media reaction had “strayed well beyond that of legitimate comment and into improper conduct.”

But they accepted the mitigating circumstances that it was the first time that he had faced such a charge in his entire career as a player and manager.

The ruling added: “Having considered the specific comments made, in our judgement, they are not the worst example of their type.

“We note that he was interviewed very soon after the conclusion of the fixture, when he was unable to contain himself.

“There is genuine remorse, the behaviour is out-of-character and, from what Graham Alexander says, he will take the appropriate steps to prevent a repeat of this behaviour.”

City and Wimbledon were fined for this clash at Valley Parade (Image: X)

Meanwhile, City were made to pay £2,250 for failing to control their players in an incident towards the end of the Wimbledon game.

A melee broke out in the first minute of added time after City skipper Richie Smallwood went in with a strong challenge on Wimbledon's Myles Hippolyte.

Players from both teams then confronted each other with pushing and shoving that ended with referee Andy Davies booking two players from each side.

The Valley Parade clash was the fifth such incident in just under two years involving Wimbledon – who were therefore given a higher fine of £2,750.

City were fined £1,750 last October after a set-to in an EFL Trophy game at Grimsby when Emmanuel Osadebe was sent off.