Newcastle United and Aston Villa have both been charged by the FA after a half-time incident on Boxing Day.
The two sides met at St James’ Park in the Premier League, with hosts Newcastle winning 3-0.
Villa forward Jhon Duran was sent off in controversial fashion. The Colombian was judged to have deliberately stamped on Newcastle’s Fabian Schar.
But the decision was questioned by fans of both sides, as replays appeared to show Duran losing his footing and making contact with Schar accidentally.
Duran was himself charged separately after his reaction to the sending-off.
“I’m going red card” 🤡 #AVFC pic.twitter.com/ieOPdOFAiZ
— Max Stokes (@villaontour_) January 7, 2025
But it was the actions of players and staff from both teams at half-time that have earned each club further sanctions.
Newcastle And Aston Villa Staff Charged As Well As Club
Newcastle’s assistant head coach Jason Tindall was sent off, along with Aston Villa analyst Victor Manas.
The pair have each been charged individually for acting in an improper manner, on top of the wider club punishment.
Both managers were incensed by the situation, with Magpies boss Eddie Howe giving an honest assessment.
When asked if the altercation amounted to a ’20-man melee’, he didn’t disagree.
Howe said: “Yeah, I don’t think that’s far off.
“These things always start out, I don’t think, with the intention of it happening in the way that it did.
“There was probably 17 or 18 people trying to calm it down, but what it looks like then are more people are involved.”
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was enraged by the decision to send off Jhon Duran.
He voiced his displeasure throughout the first half, with Newcastle coach Tindall seen ‘shushing’ Emery on the sidelines.
Both clubs and the two staff members charged have until 13 January to respond the the FA charges.
Newcastle’s next game is on Sunday, when they host League Two side Bromley on the FA Cup.
Villa, meanwhile, face West Ham in their FA Cup tie on Friday night.
