Source: PA
Birmingham fined £20,000
Birmingham have been fined £20,000, with a further £20,000 suspended, and warned as to their future conduct following the pitch invasion that marred their Carling Cup quarter-final victory over Aston Villa in December.
Blues accepted the charge of failing to ensure no spectators or unauthorised persons were permitted to encroach on to the pitch and were handed the punishment by an independent regulatory commission on Tuesday.
The suspended fine will hang over the club until the end of the 2013/14 season and would be invoked were Birmingham to again fall foul of Football Association rule E20b.
Birmingham, who went on to win the Carling Cup, said in a statement: "The fine could have been much more significant but was determined after the FA commented on the professionalism adopted by Birmingham City in its preparation of the fixture, which was well documented, and the level of co-operation the club gave following the investigation and charge.
"Club officials would like to thank the FA and regulatory commission for their patience and assistance with this matter."
