Southampton hit out at 'manifestly disproportionate' punishment

Southampton Football Club have publicly condemned their punishment as 'manifestly disproportionate' following a rule breach, while simultaneously admitting that 'what happened was wrong.' The club has issued an apology to both the other clubs involved in the matter and to their own supporters. The specific nature of the punishment and the rule violation have not been detailed in the excerpt, but Southampton are clearly contesting the severity of the sanction handed down.