By Shaun Murphy-
Manchester United and Crystal Palace have each been fined £55,000 for failing to control their players in the Premier League game at Old Trafford earlier this month.
It follows a 20-man touchline confrontation was sparked after Man Utd winger Antony was left on the deck in the second half of the Red Devils’ 2-1 February 4 win.
United midfielder Casemiro was sent off after a VAR review of a mass melee, sparked in the second half when Palace midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp barged United winger Antony into touch.
Manchester United held on for three points against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, but face the prospect of three games without Casemiro after the midfielder was sent off.
A Bruno Fernandes penalty and a second-half goal from Marcus Rashford put Erik ten Hag’s team in control, only for Casemiro to see red for grabbing Palace midfielder Will Hughes by the throat. The former Real Madrid star was dismissed after a VAR check, setting up a nervy final 20 minutes.
Jeff Schlupp pulled out back, but Palace couldn’t find another late equaliser after Michael Olise’s dramatic effort in the reverse fixture. Ten Hag will be satisfied with the result, but the loss of his midfielder – who recently sat out the defeat at Arsenal through a yellow card suspension – will be a concern.
Both Schlupp and Antony were booked, while Casemiro was shown a straight red card for grabbing Palace midfielder Will Hughes round the neck. United accepted the charge, which was denied by Palace.
Regulation and Discipline update on @ManUtd and @CPFC: pic.twitter.com/8TEEF8AKOB
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) February 28, 2023
An FA spokesperson said in a statement released on Twitter: “Manchester United and Crystal Palace have both been fined £55,000 for a mass confrontation between their players in the 67th minute of the Premier League match on February 4.
“Manchester United and Crystal Palace respectively accepted and denied that they failed to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from provocative behaviour.
“An Independent Regulatory Commission subsequently found the charge against Crystal Palace proven and imposed both the clubs’ fines.”
United won the game 2-1 after Bruno Fernandes’ early penalty and Marcus Rashford’s close-range finish. Schlupp reduced the deficit soon after the flare-up, but Palace could not force an equaliser.