Boost for West Ham as senior duo available for Watford game
By Matt Farr
The Football Association have fined West Ham senior duo Slaven Bilic and Nikola Jurcevic for misconduct, but they won’t serve touchline bans.
The Hammers boss and his assistant were in hot water following their actions during West Ham’s 2-2 draw with West Brom on Saturday, but the pair have escaped with only the standard penalty.
The FA confirmed on their official website on Wednesday afternoon that the pair had each been fined £8,000 after accepting charges of improper conduct towards referee Michael Oliver.
However, no touchline ban was issued to either party, a decision which will no doubt delight fans as Bilic will be able to work from the touchline when West Ham take on Watford in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Hammers confirmed Bilic’s availability via the club’s official Twitter account following the FA’s announcement of the fine.
Bilic was left furious at referee Oliver and his team of officials for their role during their West Brom stalemate, with the 48-year-old adamant that the ‘awful’ decisions cost them three points.
Following Gareth McAuley’s last-minute equaliser, Bilic unleashed his anger by throwing a TV microphone to the ground, and was swiftly dismissed to the stands for his protests.
However, after reviewing Oliver’s report on Monday, the FA have chosen against handing the Croatian boss a one-match touchline ban.
In other West Ham news, Arthur Masuaku has delivered his verdict on West Ham team-mate Sofiane Feghouli.
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