Chris Wilder fined £11,500 following ‘Sandwichgate’ rant at Crystal Palace as FA punish Sheffield United boss

CHRIS WILDER has been fined £11,500 for his “Sandwichgate” comments last month.

The Sheffield United boss, 56, took issue with an assistant referee “eating a sandwich” after the Blades’ 3-2 defeat at Crystal Palace.

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Chris Wilder has been fined by the FA[/caption]

Wilder went to confront referee Tony Harrington after the match, which took place on January 30.

He told BBC Sport at the time: “I’ve been to see the referee, I’ve told him that (every decision went against Sheffield United).

“One of his assistants was eating a sandwich at the time and I thought that was a complete lack of respect.

“Hopefully he was enjoying his sandwich while talking to a Premier League manager.”

Wilder was subsequently charged by the FA for breaching rule E3.1 in relation to media comments.

In a statement, the FA confirmed: “Chris Wilder has been fined £11,500 for media comments that came after Sheffield United’s game against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Tuesday 30 January.

“It was alleged that the manager’s comments constitute improper conduct in that they imply bias and/or bring the game into disrepute.

“Chris Wilder accepted this charge, and an independent Regulatory Commission imposed his fine following a hearing.”

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After the game, the former Watford and Middlesbrough boss also fumed: “It’s yet again another ridiculous performance from the referee.

“I was told by a Premier League referee, who I’ve known for a long time and who’s as honest as the day is long. He said get ready because every tight decision will go against you.

“He said every 50/50 decision will go against you. We had two bookings in the first half of the game but they weren’t bookings. They were just a coming together.”

Wilder’s £11,500 fine would have been enough to buy over 3,000 prawn sandwiches from M&S, but alas he may have to go without.

The Blades are bottom of the Premier League with just 13 points from 25 games.

They suffered their latest Bramall Lane thumping on Sunday, falling 5-0 to Brighton.

Wilder, 56, could have bought over 3,000 prawn sandwiches with his £11,500Getty