West Ham United and Tottenham both face FA charges

The fall-out from the fracas at the end of the West Ham United - Tottenham Hotspur match continues, as both clubs are now facing FA charges surrounding their “failure to control their players” at the London Stadium last Saturday.

According to the FA, “It is alleged that in or around the 95th minute of the game, both clubs failed to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion.”

Spurs had a lead and looked to be cruising in the match, despite Javier Hernandez pulling a goal back for the hosts in the 65th minute, when Serge Aurier was sent off for a second yellow with about 20 minutes remaining in the match. After another goal was scored by the Hammers to get the score to 3-2, West Ham were gunning for an equalizer in extra time when the incident occurred. As 10-man Spurs looked to close out the match, Andy Carroll was elbowed by Fernando Llorente and Carroll responded by fouling Llorente, kicking off the dispute.

In the resulting melee, Carroll and Winston Reid were shown yellow cards for West Ham while Spurs had Llorente and Eric Dier carded. Andre Ayew was also carded in extra time, but that was for a previous foul in stoppage time.

And because apparently anything involving West Ham at the London Stadium will now involve the FA, charges have been laid to both Spurs and West Ham, although with five yellows handed out and no red cards for any of the, um, “disagreements” that took place on the pitch, the charge seems a bit harsh.

Both clubs can appeal the charge, but a fine will likely be levied no matter what and David Sullivan will have to shake out his couch cushions or have Jack forgo a couple of trips to Nando’s to pay the fine and everyone will forget about this charge in about two weeks.