Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell yesterday received an unwanted early birthday present when he was fined and warned following his foul-mouthed outburst during a live radio interview last month.
Mitchell, who today turned 58, had earlier accepted an FA charge of “failing to act in the best interests of the game and/or improper language” and had requested a personal hearing.
And after going before an FA disciplinary panel in London yesterday, Cherries’ co-owner was hit with a fine of £1,500 and warned as to his future conduct.
Mitchell was charged with misconduct in relation to comments made on the BBC Radio 5 Live 606 programme on February 25.
He had appeared on the show to explain the events surrounding an impromptu visit to the Cherries changing room by Irena Demin, the wife of Maxim Demin, during the 1-0 defeat by MK Dons.
Mrs Demin, accompanied by her husband and Mitchell, is understood to have entered the dressing room at half-time and asked Lee Bradbury’s players why they were not beating the Dons, according to Daily Echo sources.
Fielding a pitch-side question from the Echo, Mitchell said: “She and her husband have put a lot of energy and a lot of money into the club through me and I believe that she is entitled to express her opinion.
“It was half-time and I think in the second half we played as well as we did in the first half, so it didn’t affect the game. I think the people that are putting money into football are entitled to their say.”
However, an interview with the BBC's Mark Chapman, which was broadcast live on the Saturday evening, was halted after Mitchell had sworn three times with Chapman urging the show’s producer to “get rid of him”.
Mitchell later issued a statement apologising for his behaviour, while the BBC also “apologised immediately and unreservedly to listeners for offence caused”.
When contacted by the Daily Echo yesterday, the BBC said they had nothing to add to their initial comment, while an FA spokesperson said they did not comment on individual cases. Mitchell was unavailable for comment.
• See today's paper for and Echosport comment ahead of tomorrow's clash at Sheffield Wednesday.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article