Tottenham Hotspur have been sanctioned by the Football Association for the events that unfolded after the final whistle of their FA Cup clash against Aston Villa earlier this month.
There was a brawl at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium following Villa’s 2-1 win, with both sets of players and staff getting into a confrontation.
The incident was instigated as a result of Joao Palhinha taking issue with the way Ollie Watkins taunted him as the Villa forward attempted to celebrate the win in front of the away fans.
Days after the incident, the FA charged both Tottenham and Aston Villa, and suggested that both clubs “failed to ensure their players and/or officials did not behave in an improper and/or provocative way after the final whistle.”
FA sanction Tottenham and Aston Villa
English football’s governing body has now given its final verdict after revealing that both clubs admitted the charges levelled against them.
FA’s Regulatory Commission has now imposed a £125,000 fine on both the Spurs and the Villans.
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Their statement reads: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Aston Villa FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC for the mass confrontation that occurred at their FA Cup match on Saturday, 10 January.
“It was alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players and/or officials did not behave in an improper and/or provocative way after the final whistle.
“Tottenham Hotspur FC and Aston Villa FC subsequently admitted the charge against them. The Regulatory Commission imposed a £125,000 fine on both clubs, and their written reasons for these decisions can be seen below.”
Spurs may be relieved at FA’s final verdict
After the incident, Frank laid the blame at the feet of Watkins, suggesting that the Villa star behaved provocatively towards Palhinha.
The worry for the Lilywhites would have been the possibility of further player suspensions, which is the last thing they need right now, given Tottenham’s current injury crisis.
The FA have instead decided to give both clubs a slap on the wrist, which the North London club may be relieved by.