West Ham will not appeal against fine

West Ham will not appeal against the record fine imposed on the club by the Premier League for fielding ineligible players.

"It's now time to draw a line under this matter," chairman Eggert Magnusson told their website. "The fine imposed on us was very significant but we accept that mistakes were made."

West Ham were fined £5.5 million for breaching ownership rules but other clubs who have been involved in the relegation battle are unhappy that a 10-point deduction was not handed out to the Hammers.

Four clubs - Charlton, Fulham, Sheffield United and Wigan - wrote to the Premier League last week to express their concern about the handling of the case and are considering legal action against West Ham and the league.

But the league's chief executive Richard Scudamore said it had closely followed the rules regarding West Ham's punishment and the matter was now at an end.

"We are confident that what the Premier League rule book allows for has been adhered to to the letter," he said.