Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has been fined the maximum two weeks' wages after refusing to play in his club's English League Cup third-round tie at Arsenal last Monday.
Scholes clashed with his manager Alex Ferguson on Sunday evening when he learned of his selection for the trip to Highbury and did not travel with his team-mates for the fixture. The champions have refused to comment on the disciplinary action, although Ferguson is believed to be furious at his midfielder's attitude; the fine will cost the 26-year-old around £80,000 sterling.
The punishment came on the same day that the England midfielder Kieron Dyer was fined up to £50,000 for indiscretions which prompted him to be sent home - alongside Carl Cort, Andy Griffin and Craig Bellamy - in disgrace from Newcastle's training camp on the Costa del Sol.
Everton have agreed a deal to sign Manchester United's winger Jesper Blomqvist until the end of the season.
A substantial majority of England's professional footballers are believed to have voted in favour of strike action in the PFA's ballot, which closes at midday tomorrow, presenting a very real possibility of league football being hit by industrial action.
By yesterday the PFA had received over 2,500 completed ballot papers from a total of 4,000.
