One of the agents banned by the FA for his part in Albion's signing of Dale Stephens has launched an appeal.

Alex Levack was banned from being an agent for 14 months and fined £7,500 along with colleague Matthew Kleinman for deliberately misleading the FA over their part in the transfer of Stephens from Charlton Athletic last January.

Levack has now signalled his intention to fight his punishing saying: “The matter has been referred to my/our legal representatives and an appeal has been lodged."

Levack and Kleinman used a third party – Ali Rahnama – to complete the deal even though the solicitor played no part in the transfer.

The FA said the pair took such action to hide the fact they were being paid £75,000 commission for the deal.

Albion were also fined £90,000 and warned as to their future conduct even though the FA accepted they had not in any way acted dishonestly and had simply been misled by the agents.

The Seagulls had some of that fine offset due to the fact Levack and Kleinman returned £65,000 of their commission to the club.