BLACKPOOL boss Paul Ince has been hit with a five-match stadium ban and fined £4,000 after pleading guilty to three charges, brought following the Tangerines’ 2-1 win over Cherries last month.

Ince appeared before an FA disciplinary commission on Monday following three breaches of rules which had occurred in or around the tunnel at Dean Court.

The charges were that he used abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official, his behaviour towards a match official constituted violent conduct and that he used threatening words and/or behaviour towards a match official.

An FA charge brought against his assistant Alex Rae in relation to the same game for allegedly using threatening behaviour towards a match official in or around the tunnel at the end of the match was found not proven.

Ince was sent from his technical area by referee Oliver Langford after he had hurled a water bottle to the ground, which inadvertently bounced up and struck a female steward who had been sitting in the crowd.

However, news Ince could have been the subject of a more serious charge was revealed exclusively by the Daily Echo when we reported the incident had allegedly spilled over in the tunnel.

Ince was understood to have confronted Dorset-based fourth official Mark Pottage, from Gillingham, who had been instrumental in him being banished to the stands.

The former Manchester United and England star has already been warned this season over his future conduct by the FA, having been fined over comments about the referee following a Capital One Cup defeat at Preston in August.

Cherries’ Championship rivals Blackpool have failed to win in five matches since the incident and Ince has refused to speak publicly.