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James Hunter

Sunderland fined for touchline melee as ex-boss Lee Johnson is hit with touchline ban

Sunderland have been fined £5,000 after admitting failing to control their players following a touchline melee during the defeat against Lincoln City last month.

The Imps have been fined £4,000 for their part in the injury-time confrontation, which was sparked by a poor challenge by Sunderland's Callum Doyle on Lewis Fiorini.

Sunderland's then-boss Lee Johnson has been hit with a four-game touchline ban and also fined £3,000 after becoming involved in the fracas and clashing with Lincoln's Conor McGrandles.

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Johnson was sent to the stands by the referee and was later charged with two counts of improper conduct, one which led to the red card and another concerning his behaviour after the red card, and after a personal hearing in which he contested the charges, they were found proved.

The touchline ban will be carried forward, meaning Johnson will be unable to take his place on the bench for four matches when he takes charge of his next club.

A statement from the Football Association on the ruling explained: 'Sunderland AFC and Lincoln City FC have been fined £5,000 and £4,000 respectively for breaching FA Rule 20.1 during their EFL League One game on Tuesday 11 Janaury 2022.

'Both clubs admitted that they failed to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion, and/or refrained from provocative behaviour during the 9th minute.

'Their fines were imposed by an Independent Regulatory Commission during a paper hearing.'

It continued: 'In addition, Lee Johnson has been suspended from the touchline for four matches and fined £3,000 for two breaches of FA Rule 3.1.

'The former Sunderland AFC manager denied that his conduct during the 95th minute was improper and/or violent, and that it was also improper following his sending off.

'An Independent Regulatory Commission found the charges against Lee Johnson to be proven and imposed his sanctions during a personal hearing.'

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