Pulis joins Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti in receiving official warnings from the Football Association for breaching the rule which prohibits coaches from making any comment about referees prior to a match.

Ironically all three had made positive comments about the same referee - Howard Webb - with Ferguson and Ancelotti's remarks coming before the Premier League clash between their sides last week.

Pulis has been warned for comments he made before Stoke's FA Cup  semi-final clash against Bolton last month, a match they ultimately went on to win 5-0.

"The FA has today warned Tony Pulis as to his future conduct," said the FA.

"The Stoke City manager's warning relates to his pre-match media comments prior to the FA Cup semi-final against Bolton Wanderers on 17 April."

Pulis would be understandably bemused by the warning, given he said of Webb: "He's as good as there is. What makes him special is that little bit of an aura he has about him."