FA Fines Aston Villa, Newcastle Following Tunnel Brawl

A post-match altercation erupted in the tunnel between Newcastle United and Aston Villa players and staff following Newcastle's 3-0 victory on Boxing Day. The incident was sparked by Jhon Duran's red card for a foul on Fabian Schar, leading to tensions that involved both managers, Unai Emery and Newcastle's Jason Tindall. An independent Regulatory Commission found both clubs guilty of failing to control their personnel, resulting in fines of £30,000 for Aston Villa and £20,000 for Newcastle. Victor Manas, Villa's analyst, received a two-match ban and a £4,000 fine, while Tindall was cleared of wrongdoing despite being sent off by referee Anthony Taylor. The altercation reportedly involved confrontations and aggressive behavior from both sides, with Villa claiming Tindall's actions provoked the situation. The FA's findings emphasize the need for improved control in high-tension situations during matches.