The Football Association will have breathed a collective sigh of relief after Fifa hit the Hammers with just a small fine yesterday.

For most of those assessing the situation privately believe the Irons  could easily have been kicked out of the competition.

Fifa regulations said as much so the decision to fine the club just £71k was seen as an almighty let off by most observers.

And given that we had earned £90k from the win over Bristol City, the club remains in profit from the competition.

The FA are highly unlikely to entertain appeals after being kept in touch with developments at Fifa throughout yesterday.

Any punishment involving our expulsion would have thrown their competition into chaos and a source close to the English ruling body said: “The fine suits everybody.”

West Ham’s near silence on the matter indeed speaks volumes – we had a bit of a lucky get off.