West Ham United and Chelsea have been fined for their parts in a what has been called a “mass confrontation” in their Premier League match last month. The incident occurred a in the final moments of the game at Stamford Bridge, where a number of players came together.
Chelsea have been fined £325,000, whilst West Ham have been fined £300,000. The incident began as Blues forward Joao Pedro reacted to a shove on Marc Cucurella from Hammers midfielder, Adama Traore. Both sides one them come together, igniting what could be called a mass brawl, leaving VAR to sort things out.
West Ham’s Jean-Clair Todibo put his hands on Pedro’s neck, and was sent off in due course. The Hammers, who had let a two goal lead go, finished the game with ten men in what was a disappointing evening for Nuno Espirito Santo’s team.
FA Statement
“It was alleged that Chelsea FC failed to ensure its players didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the 95th minute,” said an Football Association statement.
“It was also alleged that West Ham United FC failed to ensure its players didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative and/or violent way at this time.
“Both clubs subsequently admitted the charges against them.”
An independent commission ruled that both clubs had breached regulations, leading to fines. The rule that both sides broke, states that their should be no behaviour deemed “improper, offensive, violent, threatening, abusive, indecent, insulting or provocative”.
“There is no justification for this behaviour, irrespective of what had happened during the course of the game or within the mass confrontation itself. It was accepted that the club had admitted the charge and was contrite.”
The commission said both clubs “contributed to the incident” and that Traore’s “disproportionate reaction to Mr Cucurella’s movement as he returned to his feet, was the catalyst for what occurred”.
The aftermath for West Ham
The fallout from the 3-2 Chelsea loss has actually worked in the favour of Nuno’s Hammers. Since then, West Ham have not lost a game, picking up two Premier League draws and a win, with two clean sheets along the way.
Todibo’s suspension cleared the way for Chelsea loanee, Axel Disasi, to take his starting spot. The 27-year-old defender has been a revelation for West Ham, putting him some strong performances so far. Goalkeeper Mads Hermansen has pinpointed him as one of the reason’s for the team’s upturn in form.
Whilst the loss to Chelsea was not ideal, things have worked out for West Ham post that match. Todibo is now available, but will struggle to wrestle his starting spot back from Disasi in the near future.
