Aston Villa fined £200,000 over FA Cup quarter-final pitch invasion

The FA said in a statement: ‘The club was charged for failing to ensure that no spectators or unauthorised persons were permitted to encroach onto the pitch.

Aston Villa have been fined £200,000 over the pitch invasion at the end of their FA Cup quarter-final win over West Bromwich Albion during which some Albion players were targeted by fans. Villa admitted spectator misconduct in relation to the game on 7 March after being charged by the Football Association with failing to ensure that no spectators or unauthorised persons were permitted to encroach on to the pitch.

Following an independent regulatory commission hearing, Villa have also been severely warned as to their future conduct. The club issued an apology after the match, saying the victory had been “marred by the actions of those who could not control themselves”.

After the game the West Brom manager, Tony Pulis, had criticised the stewarding at Villa Park and said his players’ safety was in jeopardy. He said: “It puts the players in danger and we don’t want to see that. We were seeing it in the 1970s and 80s and we don’t want to get back to that. I actually think Villa should look at the stewarding.”

Some West Bromwich fans were also involved in incidents including a number of seats being ripped up and thrown on to the pitch.

The FA said in a statement: “Aston Villa have been fined £200,000 after admitting spectator misconduct in relation to their FA Cup sixth round tie against West Bromwich Albion on 7 March 2015. The club was charged for failing to ensure that no spectators or unauthorised persons were permitted to encroach onto the pitch area whilst attending the game at Villa Park.

“Following the Independent Regulatory Commission hearing, Aston Villa were also severely warned as to the club’s future conduct.”