The FA have released a statement regarding the sanctions imposed on Sunderland and Oxford following tunnelgate which Sunderland intend to appeal.
FA STATEMENT
"Sunderland AFC and Oxford United FC have been fined £6250 and £7000 respectively following breaches of FA Rule E20 during their EFL League One fixture on Friday 2 April 2021. It was alleged both clubs failed to ensure that their players and club officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from provocative behaviour in or around the tunnel area at half time and full time of the fixture. Oxford United FC admitted its charge. Sunderland AFC denied its charge but an Independent Regulatory Commission subsequently found it proven and imposed an appropriate sanction.”
PUNISHMENT
"Karl Robinson has been suspended from the touchline for four matches and fined £4500 after partially admitting a charge for a breach of FA Rule E3. The Oxford United FC manager admitted his behaviour in or around the tunnel area at full time of the fixture amounted to improper conduct while the independent Regulatory Commission found the violent conduct element of the charge proven. Jamie McAllister has been suspended from the ground for three matches along with an additional three matches from the touchline, and fined £3000 following a breach of FA Rule E3. The Sunderland AFC coach denied that his behaviour in or around the tunnel area at half time of the fixture amounted to improper and violent conduct but an Independent Regulatory Commission subsequently found it proven and imposed an appropriate sanction."
LJ APPEAL
"Obviously you have to have grounds to appeal and we believe we have, we believe it is unjust, but we have to put our case and our argument forward."
ROBINSON REACTION
"I'm proud of my players and will always back them, as will all of the staff. I wanted the police called because of an incident at half time, not of our making, that sparked what happened later. Had that happened then events after the final whistle would have been very different. I won’t apologise for the staff and players caring and looking after each other but in a very long season it was just one fleeting moment where the passion we all have for this club spilled over. As far as we are concerned the incident is now closed."
