Manchester City fined £260,000 for Aston Villa pitch invasion
Manchester City have been fined £260,000 for the pitch invasion which followed their win over Villa on the final day of last season.
The Premier League champions have also been warned about their future conduct after admitting an FA charge of failing to ensure supporters conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from using threatening and violent behaviour.
Thousands of fans ran onto the Etihad Stadium pitch after Pep Guardiola’s team came from two goals down to win and clinch the title. Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen was struck as he tried to escape the field, sustaining a cut to his head.
Two supporters subsequently received banning orders after being charged by police for disorder offences.
The invasion at the Etihad was one of a series which marred the closing weeks of last season across English football. Everton were last week fined £300,000 for an incursion which followed their win over Crystal Palace just days before Villa’s trip to City, during which visiting boss Patrick Vieira was goaded by supporters.
City were charged with breaching FA rule E20 in August, following the conclusion of a police investigation. The club’s punishment was decided by an independent regulatory commission, which will publish its written reasons in the next few weeks.
