Bristol City and Sheffield United have been charged by the FA after it was alleged both clubs failed to ensure their players did not behave in an “improper and/or provocative way” late on in their draw at Bramall Lane.
Liam Manning’s side drew 1-1 with Chris Wilder’s Blades on Tuesday evening, with Mark Sykes’ 90th-minute strike ensuring the points were shared between the two sides in the Steel City.
Tyrese Campbell had given the home side the lead on the hour mark when he calmly slotted past Max O’Leary after a neat pass from Rhian Brewster. That looked like it would be enough for the Blades to seal the win until Sykes smashed in past Michael Cooper having been fed into the box by George Earthy.
That wasn’t the end of the chaos however as United had two late penalty appeals waved away by referee Stephen Martin. One when the ball appeared to come close to Joe Williams’ hand in the penalty area and the other when Cam Pring seemed to nudge his opposite number to win a bouncing ball.
After Pring’s challenge, the two sets of players came together in and around the City penalty area, with both Rob Dickie and Jack Robinson being booked for their role in the “mass confrontation.” Now, two days after the meeting at Bramall Lane, the FA have charged both clubs for their players’ behaviour in the stoppage time.
Shared via X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, an official FA statement read: “Sheffield United and Bristol City have been charged following the mass confrontation at their EFL Championship fixture on Tuesday, 11 March.
“It’s alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players did not behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the 94th minute.
“Sheffield United and Bristol City have until Monday, 17 March, to provide their respective responses.”
Before the response deadline, the Reds have another important Championship clash to deal with as Manning’s side welcome fellow play-off hopefuls Norwich City to Ashton Gate on Friday evening.