Chelsea, Tottenham Fines Reduced by Football Association
After an Appeal Board heard Chelsea and Tottenham’s appeals, the Football Association has decided to reduce both clubs’ fines.
Back on May 2nd, when Tottenham were in the midst of a title challenge and needed to win over the defending champions, Chelsea, in order to put pressure on Leicester City, an unfortunate setback occurred.
In what could have been described as one of the worst outcomes during a marvelous season for Spurs — that is, prior to a humiliating 5-1 defeat from Newcastle United — Mauricio Pochettino’s side squandered everything in a single fixture.
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Leading 2-0 heading into half-time courtesy of Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min, Tottenham looked to be on the verge of earning their first win at Stamford Bridge since February 10, 1990, 26 years ago.
But then Spurs lost their cool at the end of the first half and most certainly during the second half. In short, Tottenham saw their 2-0 goal advantage evaporate as Gary Cahill pulled one back before Eden Hazard put the icing on the cake and leveled things up with seven minutes remaining.
London derbies tend to be fierce, but what happened on May 2nd, will live on in infamy as Tottenham had nine players booked for some very rash challenges, the most by single a team in a Premier League match in history.
Other incidents included Danny Rose and Willian confronting each other at the touchline that saw both benches clear with Spurs’ boss, Mauricio Pochettino, trying to calm everyone done.
And, Mousa Dembélé and Diego Costa geting into a heated exchange, with the Belgian midfielder attempting to eye poke the Spanish striker.
At the end of the match, both sides were at each other’s faces once more with Chelsea’s caretaker manager, Guus Hiddink, being pushed to the ground.
Because of what had took place that night, the Football Association decided to take action and fine both clubs for their failure in controlling their players and officials.
In total, both London clubs paid a combined fee of £600,000 with Chelsea paying £375,000 while Tottenham handed in £225,000.
The difference in fines for Spurs was more than made up in a six-match ban for Mousa Dembélé, with the 28-year-old originally receiving a three game suspension, but then getting a second one added on top because his actions were deemed violent enough.
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Of course, both clubs would go ahead and appeal their punishment which saw both fines reduced according to the FA’s official site, but not Dembélé’s suspension unfortunately.
"“An Appeal Board has reduced the fines issued to Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in relation to events at Stamford Bridge on 2 May 2016.”“Following the game, both clubs were charged by The FA with failure to control their players and officials.”“An Independent Regulatory Commission ordered that Chelsea be fined £375,000 and Tottenham Hotspur £225,000 after taking into consideration previous similar breaches of FA Rules.”“However, following an Appeal Board hearing the fines have been reduced to £290,000 and £175,000 respectively. It remains that both clubs have been warned as to their future conduct.”"
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Chelsea’s fine was reduced by £85,000 whereas Tottenham saw their’s lowered by £50,000. But despite the FA reducing their fines after an Appeal Board heard both teams’ appeals, the Blues and Spurs have still been warned about their conduct in future fixtures.
The next time both sides meet again will be on November 26 at Stamford Bridge. Could Tottenham finally snap a 26-year-old winless drought or will tempers flare once again that could potentially be worse than they received last May?
Whatever happens, it’s to be expected that this match-up will be just as feisty.