King's Lynn have been fined £7,500 by an ACU tribunal following their walk-out at Eastbourne on April 28th.

The King's Lynn team were withdrawn by their management from the meeting Elite League meeting after referee Jim Lawrence refused permission for Danny Bird to ride as a guest in place of the injured Lee Redmond.

Team Manager Nigel Wagstaff stood by his claim that the BSPA had given him permission to use the Isle of Wight rider in the meeting and when the referee ruled otherwise Wagstaff said his team would not race. The BSPA denied that they had given permission.

Eastbourne then sent out two riders to race over 15 heats on their own to record a win 75-0 win.

At yesterday's hearing, the King's Lynn promoters did not deny a charge of bringing the sport into disrepute and were fined accordingly the £7,500.

In addition their promoters Nigel Wagstaff and Brian Griffin were banned from having any involvement in the sport for two years but this ban was suspended for a 24 month period.

Eastbourne are seeking clarification on the inflated averages their riders will get because of the walkover and it is understood the BSPA (Promoters Association) will delete the points awarded for the meeting from the individual calculations.

Eastbourne are understood to be seeking compensation for the gate money refunded to spectators on the day and it is expected the BSPA will order a payment from King's Lynn now the charges have been proved.

Eastbourne owner Bob Dugard said today: "I think King's Lynn have got off very lightly but at this point in time we dont know what the BSPA are considering as compensation. We have applied for £5,000 in respect of the money we paid back and we are still paying out on claims. Everyone who came that night has, or will get, a full refund from us."