Birmingham City are believed to have fined Nicky Butt £80,000 for walking out on the team prior to the match away to West Ham United last Monday.

The former England international midfield player met Steve Bruce, the Birmingham manager, yesterday after the player issued an apology. The club then issued a statement to confirm that "the matter is now closed."

A club spokesman added: "The club has dealt with Nicky under the club's disciplinary procedure."

Butt apologised last night, saying: "On reflection, I understand it was the wrong decision and unacceptable. Therefore, I would like to apologise to the manager, coaching staff, team mates and fans for my actions."

David Sullivan, the Birmingham co-owner, says that Butt still has an "important part to play" in the club's fight against relegation from the Premiership.

The former Manchester United player, aged 31, was incensed after learning that he had been replaced in the team by Bruce's son, Alex, for a match that Birmingham subsequently lost 3-0.

"The next month or so for us is absolutely critical and it is vital that we all stick together," Sullivan said. "I am sure that Nicky Butt will have an important part to play in that time and in games afterwards.

"What's gone on, we all have to put behind us. He made a decision and has subsequently apologised for what he did. The manager has got to make decisions also and he lives or dies by them and he has got to be allowed to make those decisions.

"If Nicky Butt is selected for our next game, in the FA Cup at Stoke City [on Sunday], then I'm sure he will give his best endeavour."

Bruce says he now considers the matter "closed", while Sullivan added: "I think what happened was partly down to a misunderstanding.

"He [Butt] was peeved he was not in the team, not involved, but he could have been on the bench. What he thought was not quite the same as the situation was."

Sullivan also admitted the club's perilous position in the Premiership's bottom three was the most pressing issue at present.

"Everyone must look at what they are doing and how they can improve," he said.

"Everyone must get their thinking caps on and ask themselves what they can do to make things better for the club?

"That goes right down from me, the board, to the manager, players and fans. We are in serious trouble and all need to rally round."