Plymouth game and aftermath. Not one word of criticism for Wilder getting involved. And being effectively the cause of another huge fine. Sixth charge for failing to control players. Clearly the fault of the new owners…….
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Well that didn’t work
So…..
Sheffield United’s staggering fine amount this season after latest sanction for Plymouth Argyle incident
The level of fines Sheffield United have been hit with this season from the Football Association has increased to almost £450,000 after their latest sanction was revealed earlier today - with an FA report admitting their disciplinary record is “of great concern.” The Blades were charged for a sixth time with failing to control their players and/or staff after a post-match melee following defeat to Plymouth Argyle back in April.
The game ended in a 2-1 defeat for the Blades and dealt another huge blow to their automatic promotion hopes after three losses in the space of a week, which handed the initiative to rivals Burnley and Leeds United. And some of that frustration boiled over at the final whistle when boss Chris Wilder appeared to take exception to two Pilgrims players celebrating victory in front of his side’s supporters.
Both sides were subsequently charged with failing to ensure that their players and/or technical area staff did not behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the tunnel area after the final whistle, and both accepted the charges. United were fined £180,000, with Plymouth ordered to cough up £7,500.
That amount takes United’s fines this season to £445,500, after an FA disciplinary commission poured over witness statements from both clubs and also reviewed other evidence including bodycam footage from a melee that continued into the Home Park tunnel area and was captured by Sky Sports cameras on the day.
The huge punishment Sheffield United could face after Plymouth Argyle fracas prompts latest FA decision
Danny Hall
By Danny Hall
Football Writer
Published 17th Apr 2025, 17:01 BST
The huge punishment Sheffield United could face after Plymouth Argyle fracas prompts latest FA decision
Sheffield United could face another huge FA fine this season after the FA confirmed that both the Blades and Plymouth Argyle have been charged following a post-match melee at Home Park last weekend. Players and officials from both sides came together on the pitch after the final whistle, with more scenes in a congested tunnel area.
The catalyst seemed to be a confrontation between two Plymouth players and United chief Chris Wilder, after the duo appeared to celebrate a 2-1 victory right in front of United’s players and travelling support. Both managers subsequently played down the incident, with Wilder revealing in his press conference this week ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Cardiff City that the FA had asked United for their observations.
The governing body today confirmed that both United and Argyle had been charged with an alleged breach of “fail{ing] to failed to ensure their players and/or technical area staff didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the tunnel area after the final whistle.” Both clubs have until next Wednesday, April 23, to provide their responses.
If United are found guilty then ther latest fine could be in the region of £250,000, with their previous breaches of similar FA rules this season already exceeding that total amount and roughly doubling in size each time
Their last punishment, for a late coming-together in an emotional 1-1 draw at home to Bristol City, saw them hit with a £120,000 fine, which was reduced from the £160,000 one they were facing before their mitigation and guilty admission were taken into account.
The steps Sheffield United are taking to avoid further FA fines has already been revealed
The written reasoning for that particular charge revealed United’s acceptance that “the steps the club had taken so far to address mass confrontations have not been sufficient,” and that the club had contacted the referees body PGMOL “with a view to specific training being delivered to players as to mass confrontations. They are also considering implementing changes to the club’s bonus scheme, so that individuals are liable for any involvement they may have in an incident which culminates in an FA charge. Any such change would come into effect next season.”
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Cardiff, Wilder again played down the confrontation, which was captured by a watching Sky Sports camera as it continued into the tunnel. “As we walked off there were some verbals with a couple of players and then there are about 70 people going into a tight tunnel area,” Wilder said.
“There were verbals and stuff, but we've responded to the FA in terms of observations, and I’ve got no issues with Plymouth Argyle. It was two teams fighting different battles, an emotional game.
“I went to speak to their manager, absolutely no issue between the managers and staff. The ref said he’d possibly have to stick it in his report but as far as he was concerned there was nothing in it, and the same with his assessor. That's where it was at and as far as I'm concerned, we move on.”
Watch tunnel melee as Sheffield United frustration boils over with fiery scenes after Plymouth Argyle defeat
Danny Hall
By Danny Hall
Football Writer
Published 12th Apr 2025, 15:00 BST
Watch tunnel melee as Sheffield United frustration boils over with fiery scenes after Plymouth Argyle defeat
Sheffield United’s frustrations boiled over at full-time of their defeat at Plymouth Argyle this afternoon, which left their hopes of automatic promotion this season hanging by the thinnest of threads. A 1-0 reverse at Home Park was United’s third loss in a row, seeing them slip five points behind Leeds United and Burnley.
The Blades led 1-0 for most of the game after Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s curled opener, before Ryan Hardie equalised with nine minutes to go and sub Muhamed Tijani scored the winner two minutes before the end. The frustration was evident both on and off the pitch from a United perspective, especially after Leeds won in the other lunchtime kick-off against Preston North End.
After Wilder gathered his players in a post-match huddle on the field, there was a coming-together near the tunnel in the corner as both sides left the pitch. Mustapha Bundu was involved from a Plymouth perspective with United boss Chris Wilder and skipper Jack Robinson also involved in the scenes which former United midfielder Michael Brown branded as “not good scenes... down in the tunnel area which is often where players feel there’s a bit of protection.
For United that may spell more trouble, with the club already fined a number of times by the FA for failing to control their players, but the more immediate concern will be for their top-two hopes after another untimely defeat in the promotion race.
With just four games left, United now trail Leeds and Burnley by five points, with the gap as narrow as two points at one stage after Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s excellent opener had given them the lead just before the half-time.
“I think nothing serious,” said Plymouth boss Miron Muslić of the post-match scenes afterwards. “A lot of emotions but no-one crossed the line, I had a good conversation with Chris Wilder and the referee. The usual emotions, for good and for bad, but nothing too bad.”
