Birmingham and Cambridge fined for half-time melee

Cambridge United are currently 10th in League Two after 10 games

Birmingham City have been fined £20,000 and Cambridge United £5,000 for a mass confrontation at half-time during their League One fixture on the final day of last season.

It was alleged both clubs "failed to ensure their players and/or technical area occupants didn't behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the tunnel area at half-time" in a game Blues went on win 2-1 at the Abbey Stadium to celebrate promotion with an English Football League record 111 points.

The U's, now in League Two, admitted the charge to the Football Association's independent regulatory commission but Birmingham, currently 11th in the Championship, did not.

The commission found the charge to be proven and sanctioned both clubs, who were also given a warning.

The commission ruled the penalties were "non-standard" and merited more than the usual £2,500 fine as the confrontation involved people in the technical area from both sides.

Birmingham's penalty was further increased as it was pointed out this was the club's fourth disciplinary breach in 12 months and no liability was admitted.

However, in mitigation, it was noted that some Blues club officials and players tried to defuse the melee in the tunnel, while the third-tier status of the match was taken into consideration.

Birmingham are also facing another disciplinary charge following their Championship match against Ipswich Town on the opening day of the season.

Both clubs have been charged with failing to control their players towards the end of the 1-1 draw at St Andrew's.