Following a “mass confrontation” during their Premier League match at Stamford Bridge in January, Chelsea and West Ham United were fined £325,000 and £300,000, respectively.

After both teams acknowledged violating FA Rule E20.1, which forbids actions that are “improper, offensive, violent, threatening, abusive, indecent, insulting, or provocative,” the Football Association confirmed the penalty.

When Chelsea forward Joao Pedro replied to a shove on defender Marc Cucurella by West Ham winger Adama Traore in the 95th minute, the altercation broke out.

After a protracted VAR review, referee Anthony Taylor gave West Ham defender Jean-Clair Todibo a straight red card for grabbing Joao Pedro by the neck after players from both teams engaged in violent altercations.

Read what the FA statement said below:

“It was alleged that Chelsea FC failed to ensure its players didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the 95th minute.

“It was also alleged that West Ham United FC failed to ensure its players didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative and/or violent way at this time. Both clubs subsequently admitted the charges against them.”

The occurrence was called “a serious incident” by an independent regulatory body, which also pointed out that both clubs had previously broken the same regulation, which affected the amount of fines levied.

In its written reasons, the commission stated: “It was not accepted that Mr Cucurella was wholly without fault. He was aware of his actions after conceding the corner kick and returning to his feet. He sought to invite a reaction from Mr Traore.”

The commission added that Traore’s “disproportionate reaction” triggered the confrontation and that several players contributed to “a serious, unsightly incident.”

Chelsea overcame a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2, scoring the game-winning goal prior to the altercation.

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