PFA welcomes Bowyer fine

Professional Footballers Association chief executive Gordon Taylor has backed Newcastle’s decision to fine Lee Bowyer six weeks’ wages for his part in Saturday’s clash with team-mate Kieron Dyer.

Taylor called on Bowyer to accept the punishment and reiterated his disappointment at the player’s conduct today, calling it “unacceptable, unprofessional and embarrassing for the image of the game“.

Taylor said: “I hope that the six-week fine will be acceptable to the player and I can understand Newcastle’s viewpoint on this.

“What is disappointing is that both players have had their problems in the past and looked to be coming through it. They had shown a great deal of maturity in the way they were playing, and they had been doing well. That was probably part of the frustration.”

Taylor insisted Bowyer’s fine – believed to be set to cost him around £200,000 (€292,000) - would hurt and pointed out the relatively minuscule punishment had he been convicted in a court of law.

But Taylor accepted that Bowyer’s ensuing four-match ban – notwithstanding possible further sanction by the Football Association – constituted an even greater blow.

Taylor added: “People should not under-estimate this disciplinary process which will entail an absence from big games which is the biggest hurt.

“Lee will miss part of the crucial run-in which includes an FA Cup semi-final and the UEFA Cup – as well as his very substantial fine.”

Meanwhile Taylor said he understood Newcastle’s claims of mitigating circumstances which the club hope will clear Dyer of fault for his part in the incident.

The Magpies hope Dyer will have his red card rescinded on the basis that he had little choice but to react in the face of such obvious provocation.

Taylor added: “It is something which needs to be dealt with internally in terms of exactly what words were said between the pair.

“All everybody else could see was a situation where one player confronted another. Kieron was not the aggressor and he will feel he has no choice but to appeal.

“I also believe a great deal of praise should be reserved for Gareth Barry, who as an opposition player did his very best to save a fellow professional from the situation.”