Eoin Doyle and Jermaine Beckford have received their punishment from Preston North End after their double-sending off at the weekend.
The duo received their marching orders during their side’s 2-1 loss to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday after the teammates had a physical altercation on the pitch.
It all kicked off when Dubliner Doyle failed to play a pass to Beckford. The former Leeds United striker took issue with being ignored and a heated exchange ensued. Both players raised their hands to one another forcing some of their fellow players and the referee to intervene and break it up.
The ref was left with no option but to show a straight red card to both players. It couldn’t have come at a worse time as Preston were in the ascendancy after late substitute Doyle pulled one back a few minutes earlier to reduce the deficit to just one goal.
Fight! 😡 Preston team-mates Jermaine Beckford and Eoin Doyle are both sent off for clashing in the side's defeat at Hillsborough. pic.twitter.com/QNxh6SY4Wn
— Channel 5 Sport (@Channel5Sport) December 3, 2016
The club confirmed in an official statement released on Monday that they will not be appealing either red card and they are conducting an internal investigation into the incident. Both Doyle and Beckford were fined by the club and have issued a joint apology to their management, teammates and supporters for their actions.
“On top of the punishment they will receive from the FA for their sendings off, they have also been fined by the club for their actions.”
As a compensation to the supporters who were left frustrated by what had happened, the fines will be used to refund supporters who attended the game.
“These fines will be used to repay all Preston North End supporters who attended the trip to Hillsborough the cost of their ticket money back.”
“Supporters who bought in advance, can claim their money back in person at the club’s ticket office by the same method of payment used to purchase the ticket from Tuesday 6th December.”
“Those supporters who paid on the day must provide their match ticket in order to receive a refund. For all refunds, the repayment will be made to the person who paid for the ticket.”