The FA have charged Liverpool and Everton with failing to control their players after a mass brawl broke out between the two teams in the latter stages of Monday’s Merseyside derby.
Liverpool were leading 2-0 with the clock running down when Andy Robertson kicked the ball away from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford after the whistle had already been blown.
The Toffees were unhappy with Robertson’s perceived time-wasting and confronted the full-back, before some of the Scot’s team-mates arrived to back him up.
The FA have responded to the melee by charging both clubs, as confirmed in an official statement on Thursday afternoon.
The statement read: ‘Liverpool and Everton have been charged following a mass confrontation during the 86th minute of their Premier League match on Monday 13 February.
Andy Robertson laughed after kicking the ball away and Jordan Pickford was also seen smiling
The situation became more heated when Coady and Coleman confronted Robertson
Substitute Virgil van Dijk also got involved in the mass brawl by the touchline
‘It’s alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players and/or benches conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour.
‘Liverpool and Everton have until Monday 20 February to provide responses to their charges.’
The initial clash between Robertson and Pickford appeared fairly light-hearted, with Robertson laughing and even Pickford smiling as he walked away to get the ball.
But things became more heated when Toffees defender Conor Coady got involved as he grabbed Robertson by the neck before pushing him away, while Seamus Coleman was also clearly unhappy.
As the incident unfolded by the touchline, several substitutes were soon caught up in the brawl, with Virgil van Dijk defending Robertson, while Andre Onana, who had been taken off earlier, had to be held back by his team-mates.
The mass brawl lasted over a minute before the situation was defused and play resumed, as Liverpool ran out comfortable winners.
