Franchise Notes: Brighton & Hove Albion Hit With $139,800 Fine By Football Association

League Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion has been hit with a £90,000 ($139,800) fine by the FA and warned over its future conduct "for admitting breaches of the governing body’s agent regulations." The charges relate to the Seagulls’ "acquisition of midfielder Dale Stephens" from Charlton Athletic at the end of Jan. '14. Three authorized agents "have also been sanctioned and warned to their future conduct for their roles in the same case" (PA, 2/25). ... There "are more problems" at Serie A side Parma "with the club shop closing and computers confiscated." While players and staff "have not received any wages" since July, other employees have not been paid since November. Staff "walked out of the Parma Store club shop at the Stadio Tardini, shutting down the merchandise shop" (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 2/24).