Albion are today considering an appeal against a £10,000 fine from the Football Association for failing to control their players.

The cash-strapped Seagulls are angry about the scale of the punishment at a time when they are asking fans to contribute to the Alive and Kicking Appeal to cover the £2million shortfall.

Albion were charged following a mass confrontation during the 1-0 win at West Ham in November, when Adam Virgo and the Hammers' Hayden Mullins clashed and received red cards.

Manager Mark McGhee, who attended yesterday's hearing in London with chairman Dick Knight said: "We are considering an appeal.

"I think it is terribly hard on us. We are asking people to stump up for a good reason, not so we can give it to the FA."

Meanwhile, McGhee has escaped a touchline ban for Saturday's FA Cup third round tie against Spurs at White Hart Lane.

He has instead been fined £1,500 for swearing at the fourth official after Albion's 1-0 defeat at Ipswich in November.

McGhee admitted the charge but requested a personal hearing to plead mitigation. He said: "The last time I was up before the FA I was fined £7,500 when I was manager at Millwall, so I am happy with the result.

"I wasn't at any stage ranting and raving. It was all within the confines of the tunnel and was only one sentence."

Albion remain 18th in the table after Wolves lost 2-0 at Wigan last night.