Sunderland boss Di Canio fined over ref row

Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has been fined £8,000 ($12,768, 9,541 euros) by the Football Association after admitting a charge of misconduct. Di Canio was sent to the stands after a row with referee Martin Atkinson late in Sunderland's 3-1 defeat against Arsenal at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. The temperamental Italian later said he had invited Atkinson to "complete a perfect job" by sending him off. His frustrations centred around the decision not to allow a Jozy Altidore's 'goal' that would have tied the match at 2-2. Instead of playing the advantage Atkinson pulled play back for a free-kick against Bacary Sagna, ignoring the fact that Altidore went on to score. An FA statement read: "Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has been fined the standard penalty of £8,000 after he admitted an FA misconduct charge in relation to his behaviour during his side's game against Arsenal on Saturday 14 September 2013." Di Canio has at least avoided a ban from the dugout and Sunderland, in a brief statement of their own, added: "He (Di Canio) is free to take his place on the touchline when Sunderland visit West Brom this weekend." Source: AFP