Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has fined striker Kenwyne Jones for his red card in the 2-2 draw with West Ham last Saturday.
The forward was shown a straight red card for raising his hands to Herita Ilunga at the Stadium of Light and will now face a three-match ban.
Bruce was furious with the reaction of Ilunga, but he has also acknowledged that Jones let Sunderland down.
He said: "That's the disappointing thing of the sending-off, not just dealing with West Ham last week, we have got to go into the next three games without Kenwyne.
"That's why he has been punished. The club has punished him.
"We have got a standard disciplinary procedure which comes into effect. It's quite simple, it's there in black and white for them.
Silly
"Kieran Richardson was exactly the same two weeks ago. If you get sent off for two yellow cards or mistimed tackles, that happens, or you are the last man and you may get handballed or something, that happens.
"But something silly - we have all done it, we have all been there, the heat of the moment and you react.
"He will be a miss because the strike-force for me has been the reason why we are going the way we are at the moment, because we are a threat at the top end of the pitch.
"Being without Kenwyne, we will have to adapt."
Meanwhile, Bruce claims that his war of words with West Ham assistant manager Steve Clarke regarding Ilunga's reaction is in the past.
He said: "Maybe I'm not supposed to talk about other players. I'll take that point on board, that's for sure.
"But it's still not going to change my thoughts on that the boy rolled around and playacted.
Under the bridge
"But, water under the bridge. I got a response from Steve and they won last night (against Aston Villa) so I don't think he'll give a monkeys.
He added: "I think it was my right to voice my opinion on it.
"As I said from the offset, Kenwyne was silly with what he did. I couldn't defend it. We all know the rules. We all get carried away with it.
"I have to say, though, the actions of the player - still, no matter what Steve Clarke does or whatever - he got my player sent off. I believe."
"That is my response. It is all water under the bridge. As far as I'm concerned, it's forgotten about."