Big Sam fined after ref criticism

London - West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has been fined £8 000 after being found guilty of misconduct by the English Football Association for criticising a referee.

Allardyce was charged after suggesting in comments to the media that referee Phil Dowd favoured Manchester United in his decision-making during West Ham's loss in a third-round replay at Old Trafford on January 16.

Allardyce denied the charge that he "questioned the integrity of the match referee" and "brought the game into disrepute."

The FA also warned Allardyce as to his future conduct.