Source: Telegraph
West Brom and Plymouth hit with FA charges after Home Park brawl
Jerome Thomas, the West Brom midfielder, also faces a separate charge of violent conduct for his challenge on David McNamee. [LNB]The crude tackle by Thomas, who had already earned an penalty when, ironically, he was brought down by McNamee in the 83rd minute, was responsible for sparking a mass confrontation between players and involving the officials. [LNB] Related ArticlesWest Brom 2 Scunthorpe 0Blackpool 2 West Brom 3Ipswich 1 West Brom 1Newcastle 3 Plymouth 0Plymouth Argyle 0 Newcastle United 0Sport on televisionAccording to Simon Cox, the West Brom striker, the readiness of the Albion players to rush to Thomas' defence at least shows the bond between players at the club. [LNB] "That shows good team spirit if one of us would've gone in and the rest of us were trying to carry on the game you'd ask questions," he insisted. [LNB] "But we're all in there, we're all fighting for the cause, and I think that speaks volumes for the players and the team spirit we've got at the club." [LNB]Needless to say, the FA have seen it slightly differently. In a statement they said: "Plymouth Argyle and West Bromwich Albion have both been charged with failing to control their players following an incident in the fixture at Home Park on Saturday 6 February 2010. [LNB] "The charges relate to a mass confrontation between players and officials in the Championship fixture. Both clubs have until 24 February to respond to the charges.' [LNB]Thomas, meanwhile, will be asked to appear before the FA for a personal hearing on Tuesday. He has already been issued with an automatic four-game ban as it was his second straight red card of the season, the first coming in September during West Brom's 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in the League Cup. [LNB]Of Thomas' transgression, the FA said: "Thomas has been charged with violent conduct in relation to an incident that followed his dismissal in the same fixture. Thomas has until 6pm on Wednesday 10 February to reply to the charge." [LNB]A worst case scenario for Albion would see Thomas banned for an additional three games, on top of the four he will already miss. [LNB]
