ACCRINGTON Stanley have been fined £5,000 for appointing manager James Beattie before he had the relevant coaching qualifications.

The Reds will have to pay a further £15,000 if Beattie does not complete a coaching course by May 1.

But is this punishment really necessary, for a club who are not exactly awash with funds to start with?

Stanley are the first club to fall foul of the new Football League sanctions but Beattie appears to be doing a good job as boss, so the appointment seems the correct one.

What do you think of the decision to fine Stanley?