Bournemouth likely to face further FA charge after collapse at Sunderland
Bournemouth may yet face an additional charge of failing to control their players following their meeting with Sunderland.
That is the view of former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett after the news that the Cherries were to receive an automatic fine for picking up six bookings in the match.
Sunderland came back from two goals down to beat Bournemouth 3-2 at the Stadium of Light on Saturday in the latest impressive result this term under Regis Le Bris.
The visitors were unhappy with various decisions as they went behind from two up, starting with Enzo Le Fee’s penalty conceded by Alex Scott, culminating in a late flash point involving multiple players from each side after a foul by David Brooks on Nordi Mukiele, and there was still time after that for Lewis Cook to be sent off for an elbow on Noah Sadiki.
Sky Sports’ Mark McAdam reported via X on Tuesday that Bournemouth were set for a £25,000 fine but weren’t in line for any further punishment despite the “mass confrontation”, although Hackett thinks differently.
Keith Hackett tips Bournemouth for further punishment
The former FIFA referee says that a charge for failing to control their players should be automatically brought about with such incidents and that there may simply be a delay to the process while further administrative work is done since the Sunderland win.
Speaking exclusively to Mackem News he said: “Where an incident of mass confrontation takes place, then a charge of failing to control their players should be automatic.
“It is likely that the football authorities have asked the club for its observations before it is likely to be charged.
“They may be awaiting a response from the club, and of course, the review of video evidence.”
Sunderland response most impressive
After Sunderland were beaten 1-0 by Fulham coming out of the international break there would have been a few worried Mackems, and a few smug rivals thinking the wheels were about to come off the excellent early-season form.
Going 2-0 down at home in the following fixture would have only compounded that, so to respond in the way Le Bris’ men did is one of the most impressive feats yet from an increasingly-superb campaign.
Even now it is probably overly optimistic to be able to threaten European qualification come the end of the season, despite still being sixth in December and two points outside the Champions League places.
But there has to be serious confidence now that the first few months weren’t a flash in the pan and a collapse towards anything like a relegation battle is looking highly unlikely.
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