Albion have been fined £90,000 and warned as to their future conduct over the transfer of midfielder Dale Stephens from Charlton.

The club was found guilty of breaching The FA’s Football Agent Regulations in regards to the transaction last January.

Authorised agents Alex Levack, Matthew Kleinman and Ali Rahnama have also been warned as to their future conduct following their part in the transfer.

The Seagulls blamed a technicality for their part in the breach of regulations with the FA making it clear the club did not act dishonestly.

Agents fees of £65,000 due to be paid by Albion have also been waived meaning the fine is effectively reduced to £25,000.

The club has since reviewed and amended its internal procedures when dealing with agents to ensure a repeat is avoided.

A club statement said: "We accept that we have been punished in this instance on a technicality, having trusted the word of two licensed agents who the club had dealt with several times previously.

"The FA accepts neither the club nor any of its employees acted dishonestly. Similarly we accept the FA's findings and as a result have already reviewed and amended our internal procedures when dealing with agents and transfers."

Levack and Kleinman have both been fined £7,500 and suspended from all agency activity and intermediary activity for a period of 14 months.

Rahnama has been suspended from all agency activity and intermediary activity for a period of nine months.