Bilic escapes a dugout ban
SLAVEN BILIC has accepted an FA misconduct charge after his dismissal in the final moments of West Ham’s 2-2 draw with West Brom on Saturday and has avoided being dismissed from the touchline.
The Hammers manager was sent to the stands after throwing a television microphone to the ground immediately after his side conceded an added-time equaliser at the London Stadium. Bilic – whose assistant Nikola Jurcevic was also sent off midway through the first half after a West Ham goal was ruled out for offside – was critical of the performance of referee Michael Oliver.
But after deciding against contesting the charges, both Bilic and Jurcevic have accepted the standard £8,000 fine for their offences.
That leaves Bilic free to take up his usual place in the dugout when his side return to Premier League action at Watford on February 25.
West Ham co-chairman David Gold admits the club feels “cheated” they received only £25million from Marseille last month for Dimitri Payet.
The deal marked a £14m profit on the playmaker, who forced the move back to his former club after making it clear he wanted to return to France after just 18 months in the Premier League. Gold said: “My only regret is that he was sold for £25m and he was worth more.
“In an open market he would have fetched £30m-£35m. I think the fans feel cheated and that they didn’t get full value. He insisted on only going to Marseille. It was one club bidding, so that depressed the price.
“I don’t think he handled it very well. Does anybody?”