MX23RW : Monday, March 18 10:03:53

Arsenal and Birmingham charged after spectators encroach pitches

Arsenal and Birmingham charged after spectators encroach pitches
© Reuters
The clubs have been charged following ugly incidents on Sunday.

Arsenal and Birmingham have both been charged by the Football Association in connection with incidents which saw spectators run onto the pitch.

The Gunners and Blues have both been accused of failing to ensure fans could not encroach onto the pitch, while the Championship club have also been charged with failing to ensure that a spectator "refrained from improper or violent conduct" after Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish was punched.

Announcing the Arsenal charge, an FA spokesperson said: "Arsenal has been charged with breaches of FA Rule E20 (a) and (b).

"It is alleged the club failed to ensure that its spectator(s) conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from encroaching onto the pitch during the Premier League fixture against Manchester United on Sunday, March 10.

"They have until March 22 to respond."

A 30-year-old man has been charged with common assault and bailed to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court on March 26 in connection with an incident at the Emirates Stadium.

He is alleged to have made contact with Manchester United defender Chris Smalling during the Gunners' 2-0 Premier League victory.

Birmingham have been charged after Villa's Grealish was attacked from behind by a spectator during their 1-0 win at St Andrew's, also on Sunday.

An FA spokesperson said: "Birmingham has been charged with breaches of FA Rule E20 (a) and (b).

"It is alleged the club failed to ensure that its spectator(s) conducted themselves in an orderly fashion; refrained from improper or violent conduct and refrained from encroaching onto the pitch during the Championship fixture against Aston Villa on Sunday, March 10.

"They have until March 22 to respond."

Aston Villa's Jack Grealish was attacked by a fan during his side's derby at Birmingham
Aston Villa's Jack Grealish was attacked by a spectator during his side's derby at Birmingham (Nick Potts/PA)

Paul Mitchell, 27, of Rubery, Worcestershire, was jailed for 14 weeks and banned from attending football matches for 10 years after pleading guilty to assault earlier this week.

Meanwhile, both Birmingham and Villa were earlier hit with a charge of failing to control their players following a fifth-minute bust-up during a high-octane game.

Tempers flared after Grealish was was caught by a rash challenge from Maikel Kieftenbeld.

An FA spokesperson said the club had "failed to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the fifth minute of the fixture".


Click here for more stories about Jack Grealish

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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool31237170185276
2Manchester CityMan City30242479215874
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs30201957322561
4Arsenal30186663392460
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd30177658401858
6Chelsea30176750331757
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves30128103836244
8Watford30127114244-243
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham31126134146-542
10Leicester CityLeicester31125144043-341
11Everton31117134342140
12Bournemouth31115154356-1338
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3198143140-935
14Crystal Palace3096153641-533
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2996143242-1033
16Southampton3079143450-1630
17Burnley3186173559-2430
18Cardiff CityCardiff3084182757-3028
19Fulham3145222970-4117
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield3135231857-3914

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