FA charges after Oxford tunnel fracas
Sunderland & McAllister charged by the FA after Oxford fracas
Sunderland AFC and assistant head coach Jamie McAllister have been charged by the Football Association after the Good Friday fixture with Oxford United.
The U’s and their manager, Karl Robinson, have also been the subject of charges from the FA after incidents at half-time and full-time.
Robinson, who was sent to the stands by referee Trevor Kettle during the fixture, alleged after the game that a member of his playing staff had been head-butted at half-time during a feisty encounter at the Stadium of Light.
Tensions were also high at full-time and the FA have taken their time to assess the referee’s report and other observations before charging the clubs.
No specific details have been released at this time however the FA have confirmed they have issued a number of charges.
Both Sunderland and Oxford have been charged with breaches of FA Rule E20 – which states that they ‘failed to ensure their players and/ or club officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour around the tunnel area’.
McAllister and Robinson,
meanwhile, have been charged with breaches of FA Rule E3. The FA allege that the conduct of Robinson at full-time and of McAllister at half-time amounts to ‘improper and/or violent conduct.’
Both individuals have until Wednesday, April 28 to respond.
Sunderland could mathematically secure a play-off place this evening – but will be reliant on Portsmouth slipping-up.
Sunderland need to win against Blackpool – having been beaten 1-0 by the same opponents just under a fortnight ago.
That will put Lee Johnson’s side on 76 points, and in a healthy position to secure a top six finish.
And should Portsmouth drop points in their clash at Accrington Stanley, then their play-off berth will be mathematically secured.
If Pompey draw at the Wham Stadium, for example, then the maximum points haul they could obtain would be 75 points. Assuming Sunderland win, Danny Cowley’s side would then join the likes of Oxford United, Gillingham, Ipswich Town and MK Dons in being unable to overtake the Black Cats.