GILLINGHAM'S fine for their part in the Boxing Day fracas with Crystal Palace has been reduced on appeal from £15,000 to £12,000. But the amount is still considerably more than the £5,000 imposed on Palace after both clubs were charged with failing to control their players.

A three-man FA commission, which sat in Manchester, included chairman of discipline David Wilkes. The FA were represented by compliance officer Mark Knowles and Gillingham by solicitor David Kenny.

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally did not attend. No award for costs was made.

It has now emerged that Mr Scally could be heading for another showdown with the FA over his failure to pay the £10,000 imposed earlier this year after being found guilty of betting on the outcome of Gillingham's play-off final against Manchester City in May, 1999.

Mr Scally insists he will not pay the fine and was seeking a judicial review. Should the fine not be paid, the FA have the power to suspend him from all football.