Robert fined for non sit down protest

French winger Laurent Robert answers questions during a press conference in October 2000. Robert has been fined by Portsmouth after refusing to be a substitute in Saturday's 4-1 win over Sunderland.

French winger Laurent Robert has been fined by Portsmouth after refusing to be a substitute in Saturday's 4-1 win over Sunderland.

Pompey boss Alain Perrin was left with only four players on his bench after his compatriot ruled himself out with a previously undisclosed hamstring injury after the team was named.

Portsmouth did not disclose the amount of the fine but club chairman Milan Mandaric said the Frenchman had apologised to Perrin, his team-mates and Mandaric himself.

"His biggest apology however is to the fans," the chairman added. "The player knows he has made a mistake and everyone is entitled to make one of those.

"He has received a club fine which he accepts along with the fact that there should have been much better communication with the medical team, and thus manager, at a much earlier time.

"The issue is now resolved as far as we are concerned and we need Laurent to be firing on all cylinders so I would ask everyone to now put this to one side and concentrate on backing the team and all the players.

"Fans were naturally upset on Saturday but everyone at the club has now accepted the player's apology and are focused entirely on the match next Saturday. I would ask fans to do the same."

Pompey produced their best performance of the season in beating the Black Cats 4-1 after Robert pulled out.

Robert himself apologised for his actions, although he insisted the injury was genuine.

"I am very sorry for the team, players and the manager for any misunderstanding," he said. "My hamstring was very sore after training on Friday. I travelled to Sunderland but became confused because Salif Diao got injured on Saturday morning.

"I wasn't 100 percent to play or sit on the bench. I know my body and prefer to rest. I told the manager and he understood. I am very sorry for any confusion."