Accrington Stanley fined

FDC FINES STANLEY May 2014.^st A Football Disciplinary Commission (FDC) has fined Accrington Stanley £20,000 for breaching Football League Regulations regarding manager coaching qualifications, which are designed to improve the standards of coaching in domestic football.  Of this amount, £15,000 will be suspended subject to the Club’s manager achieving the necessary qualification by 1

The three-man commission, appointed under the Regulations of The Football League, found that Accrington Stanley, in appointing James Beattie as its first team manager, had breached Regulation 40 which requires managers of clubs in Leagues 1 and 2 to hold a UEFA B licence and be working towards a UEFA A licence within 3 years of their appointment.

The commission found that:

• James Beattie did not hold a UEFA B licence at the time of his appointment, nor has he achieved it subsequently.
• Accrington Stanley were reminded of their obligations under Regulation 40 by The Football League following the resignation of the Club’s previous manager (Leam Richardson) in April 2013, and, again following Beattie’s appointment the following month.
• As of the date of the FDC hearing (Jan 2014), James Beattie had still not attended a relevant course or been able to confirm a place on a future course.

Accrington Stanley have the right to appeal the decision of the FDC within 14 days.