Bristol City and Millwall charged after mass brawl

"Bristol City and Millwall have been charged by the Football Association (FA) for a mass brawl between players and coaching staff at the end of their Championship meeting at Ashton Gate this month. Joe Williams, Harry Cornick, Ross McCrorie, Joel Coleman and Dave Livermore have also been charged for their roles in the incident. Millwall won the match 1-0 via a goal from Mihailo Ivanovic in the 59th minute and the Robins were denied an added-time equaliser by an offside flag."

"Lions boss Alex Neil and Robins head coach Gerhard Struber appeared not to shake hands after the match, with Bristol City skipper Jason Knight appearing to push Neil twice in the chest in an altercation which soon erupted into a larger melee. The FA have charged both clubs, Robins players Williams, Cornick and McCrorie, as well as Millwall goalkeeper Coleman and assistant head coach Livermore for their roles in the brawl on Saturday, 6 December."

""Both clubs allegedly failed to ensure that their players and/or technical area staff did not behave in an improper and/or provocative and/or violent way after the match finished," an FA spokesperson said, external. Of the players charged, only McCrorie actually featured in the game, having come off the bench for Mark Sykes in the 64th minute. Cornick was an unused substititute for the Robins, while Williams and Coleman did not feature in their clubs' matchday squads."

The Football Association has charged Bristol City and Millwall following a mass brawl involving players and coaching staff after the Championship match at Ashton Gate. Five individuals—Joe Williams, Harry Cornick, Ross McCrorie, Joel Coleman and Dave Livermore—face charges for their roles. Millwall won 1-0 with a Mihailo Ivanovic goal in the 59th minute, and Bristol City were denied a late equaliser by an offside flag. An altercation began after apparent tensions between managers and a push by Bristol City skipper Jason Knight, which escalated into a larger melee. Video evidence captured conduct not seen by match officials, and clubs and players must respond by 5 January.

Read at www.bbc.com