Watford have been fined £5,000 by the FA after accepting a misconduct charge following a series of scuffles and clashes at the end of the 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United.
The Blades have been fined £17,000 for their part in the matter, the higher fine being due to them having breached the rule four times in the previous five seasons – two of which were during the current campaign.
Both clubs admitted that they failed to ensure their players did not behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the 94th minute and after the final whistle.
The two clubs admitted their respective charges and sought a Commission to deal with matters at a paper hearing.
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In his report, match referee Andrew Kitchen wrote: “In the 94th minute of the match, numerous players from both sides were involved in a mass confrontation around the centre circle.
“Following the confrontation Sheffield United’s number six (Harry Souttar) and Watford’s number 18 (Daniel Jebbison) were both cautioned for unsporting behaviour. This has been submitted to The FA to check for any further misconduct.”
Further in his report, Mr Kitchen added: “Following the full-time whistle, numerous players from both sides were involved in a mass confrontation on the field of play. No disciplinary action was taken, and this has been submitted to The FA so check for any unseen misconduct.”
United have been found guilty of four previous breaches of FA Rule E20 in the preceding five-season period.
The Commission noted that they were only six games into the season yet had already received two separate charges for a failure to ensure that its players did not behave in a way which is improper and/or provocative.
Watford, however, had a previously clean record, with no earlier breaches of FA Rule E20 in the previous five seasons.
The Independent Regulatory Committee that heard the matter was chaired by Bradley Pritchard, and also consisted of Mick Kearns and Tony Carr.
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