SAFC to be fined for Forest match bookings

Sunderland will be fined £5,000 by the Football Association after having seven players booked in their win at Nottingham Forest yesterday.

FA disciplinary rules state that clubs that have six or more players yellow-carded in a match are due an automatic punishment.

Referee Trevor Kettle delivered yellow cards to Liam Lawrence, George McCartney, Stephen Wright, Dean Whitehead, Jeff Whitley, Julio Arca and Chris Brown at the City Ground.

Kettle also cautioned Forest's John Thompson and Andy Reid and sent off Gregor Robertson in a game that was far from nasty.

McCarthy has asked Kettle to look at Wright's booking (for unsporting behaviour - diving) after watching a video of the game. Replays appear to show the defender was clearly tripped and the Berkshire official has agreed to review his decision.

The fine will be doubled if Sunderland have six or more players booked in another game this season.

*Jeff Whitley will miss Sunderland's FA Cup third-round tie against Crystal Palace on January 8 after getting his fifth booking of the season at Nottingham Forest yesterday