Sunderland and Norwich City charged after touchline clash

Tempers flare on the touchline after a robust challenge on Sunderland's DeAndre Yedlin during the Barclays Premier League match at Carrow Road, Norwich

The clubs have been charged with failing to “ensure their players and/or officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion” after players and coaches from both benches were involved in pushing and shoving on Saturday.

Both clubs have until April 21 to respond to the charge but if Sunderland are found guilty, the punishment is likely to be a fine.

The incident on Saturday lunchtime was sparked after Sunderland full-back DeAndre Yedlin was sent flying into the advertising boards by Norwich captain Gary O’Neil in the opening minutes of the match.

It angered the Sunderland coaching staff who were just metres away from the incident and players from both sides waded in.

Sam Allardyce then appeared to shove Norwich substitute Cameron Jerome out of the way before confronting O’Neil.

Allardyce said he was simply ‘protecting his players’ after getting involved in a heated touchline tussle.

An FA Statement read: “Norwich City and Sunderland have been charged following their game on Saturday [16 April 2016].

“It is alleged that in or around the fourth minute of the fixture, both clubs failed to ensure their players and/or officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion.

“Norwich and Sunderland have until 6pm on 21 April 2016 to respond to the charge.”

The Sunderland boss joked about the incident post-match, with opposite number Alex Neil playing the incident down too.

Allardyce said: “I was a bit disappointed the fourth official didn’t stop the Norwich players encroaching into my technical area!

“I was protecting my box and my players at the time. I got a bit carried away, there was a lot of emotion in the game.

“It was such a big game and I don’t know why they came running over as much as they did but I was going to protect my players and mob.

“I hope [referee] Andre Marriner doesn’t get a ticking off for not doing more with me, I just got him out the way.

“In the end he said ‘calm down, will you?’

“I said It would try my best! I didn’t know I still had that strength!”

Newcastle United were fined £20,000 two years ago for a similar incident, also at Carrow Road, with Norwich fined £30,000 for the same incident.