MIDDLESBROUGH boss Bryan Robson is walking a disciplinary tightrope after being fined £7,500 by the FA and warned about his future conduct.

Robson, who has incurred the wrath of the authorities more than once before, was found guilty of misconduct after swearing at officials following Boro's 2-1 defeat at Coventry last season.

Scunthorpe referee Neale Barry reported Robson after the April 15 Premiership clash, which boiled over when Coventry's second goal was allowed to stand despite Boro's furious offside protests.

At the time, Robson claimed that Boro, who escaped with a warning after they were found guilty of failing to control their players in the fiery 4-3 home defeat by Manchester United on April 10, were being made scapegoats and branded the FA "petty''.

Following the incidents, Robson said: "These days you get charged for so many petty things.

"At Coventry, I didn't have a go at the referee, I had a go at the linesman. He ignored me and told me to sit back down on the bench, so I did.

"In the dressing room afterwards I said to him: 'You cost us the game because you know that goal was offside.' Then the referee turned round and said to me: 'You're going to get charged.'

"I admit I swore, but as I've said before, it's supposed to be a man's game.''

In addition to the fine and censure, Robson was "required to give a written assurance about his future conduct''.

Any further indiscretions could conceivably lead to Robson receiving a touchline ban.

Meanwhile, Boro - who officially report back for training today - have fixed another pre-season friendly in Spain.

They play Linense, of La Linea de la Concepcion, on Thursday, August 10, three days before facing Real Madrid in La Linea.