VIDEO: Former Spireite fined for on-field bust up with team-mate

Doyle and team-mate Jermaine Beckford were both sent off during their side’s 2-1 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday after appearing to come to blows following an angry verbal exchange.

Preston have confirmed they have fined the pair and that money will be used to repay the cost of fans’ tickets for the game at Hillsborough.

Their boss Simon Grayson was furious over the incident.

He said: “The fans who travelled to Sheffield Wednesday were let down by the actions of Jermaine Beckford and Eoin Doyle and it is only right that the fines imposed on the players are used to refund the cost of the ticket money for the fixture.

“It has been made very clear to the players and the squad as a whole that this behaviour is not acceptable by any employee of Preston North End and a swift and strong response was important, however, it has now been dealt with and the matter is closed.”

The players have issued a joint apology to the club and its fans.

Their statement said: “We apologise wholeheartedly for our actions at Hillsborough.

“Our behaviour was not acceptable in any walk of life, let alone on a football pitch.

“We let down the management, our team-mates and most importantly the supporters, who had spent a lot of money to support the team.

“We accept the punishment given to us by the club and The FA and fully support the club’s decision to refund the ticket costs to the supporters.

“We have apologised to the manager, the staff and our team-mates and hope that the supporters accept our total remorse for the incident.

“It is our intention to now put this behind us and to give our all for the benefit of Preston North End going forward.”

Doyle joined the Spireites in May 2013 and scored 38 goals in 84 appearances before being signed by Cardiff City for a reported £750,000.

The Irishman was sent on loan to Preston for the 2015–16 season and joined them on a permanent basis this summer for an undisclosed fee.