Fines Galore: FA Slaps Spurs, Aston Villa With £125k Fines After Fiery FA Cup Clash

Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have both been fined £125,000 by the FA following a mass confrontation at full-time of their FA Cup third-round clash earlier this month.

Tempers flared at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after Spurs’ FA Cup exit, with players and staff from both sides involved in a heated on-pitch altercation moments after the final whistle.

A closer look at the post-match brawl between the Tottenham and Aston Villa players 🔎😡 pic.twitter.com/KqcE6SFPyh

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In a statement, the FA confirmed that an independent Regulatory Commission had sanctioned both clubs for failing to control their players and officials.

“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,” the FA said. “Tottenham Hotspur FC and Aston Villa FC subsequently admitted the charge.”

What exactly happened?

The flashpoint came when Spurs midfielder João Palhinha shoved Ollie Watkins, who had celebrated Villa’s victory in front of the travelling supporters.

Villa players Morgan Rogers and Lamare Bogarde quickly stepped in, before more players and staff poured onto the pitch in an attempt to defuse the situation.

Both clubs were charged earlier this month and accepted responsibility, paving the way for identical fines.

Spurs boss Frank Thomas later suggested Watkins’ celebrations had sparked the confrontation.

“I think Ollie is provoking,” Thomas said. “The way he goes to celebrate with the Villa fans and walks into João when he can easily go around him.”

Both clubs’ seasons so far

The incident came at a testing time for Thomas, with Spurs languishing in 14th place in the Premier League. However, there was a silver lining in midweek, as Tottenham secured direct qualification to the Champions League last 16 with a 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Villa, meanwhile, continue to soar under Unai Emery. The Midlands club sit third in the Premier League, level on points with second-placed Manchester City and just four behind leaders Arsenal.