Hull manager Phil Brown has been fined £2,500 for improper conduct relating to comments made about Mike Riley after the Tigers' FA Cup defeat at Arsenal in March.

Brown had denied the charge. But it was found proven at a Football Association regulatory commission hearing today, and he was also warned about his future conduct.

The match was one of the most controversial of last season - afterwards Hull accused Cesc Fabregas of spitting at assistant manager Brian Horton, although the Arsenal captain was cleared by the FA after he too was charged with improper conduct.

The FA said in a statement: "At a regulatory commission hearing today, Hull City manager Phil Brown was fined £2,500.

"Brown denied a charge of improper conduct and/or bringing the game into disrepute in relation to media comments concerning the referee Mike Riley, made following Hull's FA Cup tie against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on 17 March.

"At the hearing today, Brown was fined and warned as to his future conduct."

Brown had accused Riley of a "disgraceful" performance and of being influenced by the Arsenal fans.

He said after the match: "We've not been beaten by Arsenal; we've been beaten by the referee and the linesman. The game was turned on its head when the referee succumbed to local pressure.

"You had better ask Mike Riley how much that will cost us. I'm sure he wouldn't have the faintest idea."