The new addition to the list of disciplinary measures was due to the heated derby of the London match between the Chelsea FC and West Ham United FC. The Football Association fined them on occasion of a large scale confrontation during their final match in the January League.
Chelsea had to pay PS325,000 and West Ham PS300,000. The penalties are associated with a massive on-field brawl that involved almost 20 players in the stop time. The authorities referred to the case as severe and preventable.
It was the tension following a dramatic match whereby Chelsea came out of two-goal defeat to defeat Arsenal 3-2. The tension had already been building up towards the time when the confrontation began towards the end of the game.
The conflict started when the West Ham winger Adama Traore shoved Marc Cucurella to the ground. It did not take long before the two sides rushed in and this situation deteriorated. The fight had to be broken by the referees and employees.
Jean-Clair Todibo, a West Ham defender, was sent off after a review by the VAR refereed that he grabbed Joao Pedro by the throat. This was considered as one of the gravest moves in the incident.
According to the Football Association, the two clubs were unable to manage the behaviour of their players. The official organization decided that the behavior was in violation of the FA rules regarding misconduct or violent behavior.
An independent commission, also observed that a number of players had their role to play in escalation. It concluded that the Cucurella actions prior to the confrontation were a contribution to a reaction albeit not justifying the reaction of Traore.
The ruling emphasizes the severe approach that the FA has toward discipline. Derby matches are supposed to be in control of the clubs even when the pressure is high. The penalties act as a reminder that emotional games are still required to meet professional requirements.
