SAMMY IGOE has escaped suspension after pleading guilty to improper conduct but the midfielder will still pay a heavy price for falling foul of the Football Association.

A three-man FA disciplinary commission took less than an hour to impose an £800 fine and reprimand the 28-year-old over his future behaviour at Birmingham City's St Andrew's ground yesterday.

The case stemmed from comments Igoe made to sections of the media following a stormy match at Blackpool on January 31.

Seasiders skipper Richie Wellens was sent off after a foul on Igoe and the midfielder's remarks surrounding the dismissal, namely that staying down was an old professionals' trick, landed him in hot water with the FA.

Speaking exclusively to the Evening Advertiser, Igoe said: "I can't really complain at the end of the day.

"I'm just relieved the whole thing is sorted now and that I haven't been hit with a suspension. That was my biggest worry.

"I apologised to the panel but I'd like to think that they could see from my career records that they had in front of them, that I'm a good boy.

"Mark Devlin spoke highly of me and I'm very grateful to him for that.

"If this issue has taught me one thing, it's that I'll be extremely careful who I speak to after matches now."

"I just want to focus totally on football now and prepare for another very important match at Wycombe on Saturday."

With the punishment now administered, Town chief executive Mark Devlin hopes a line can now be drawn under the matter.

Devlin, who also attended the St Andrews hearing, said: "Sammy pleaded guilty but as a club we submitted mitigating factors, stressing he's a decent lad who represents the club at events in the community for example.

"I think they took that into account and I am grateful to the FA panel for giving us a fair hearing.

"I've no complaints about that at all.

"A fine obviously hurts Sammy but as a club I think the big worry was seeing him suspended for the important run in to the season.

"We as a club have reprimanded Sammy and told him he's been silly but we just want to draw a line under it now and move on."

Having escaped a ban, Igoe is free to line up against relegated Wycombe Wanderers at the Causeway Stadium on Saturday.

Three points would push Igoe and his colleagues ever closer to a play-off spot and Town's travelling army will be out in force again to cheer on their heroes.

As the Evening Advertiser went to press, just over 500 tickets for the match remained.

No tickets will be available on the day of the game.

Further information on all Town's remaining games can be obtained from the box office on 0870 443 1894.

A SPORTING dinner in aid of the Swindon Town Red Army Fund takes place at the Bell Hotel in Faringdon on Monday, April 19.

Andy King and Alan Reeves are the guest speakers and there will also be a fund-raising auction on the night. Ticket details and a full list of auction items can be obtained via truststfc.co.uk.