Hull City won 2-1 at the bet365 Stadium in November, with Stoke players taking exception to their post-match celebrations
Hull City have been fined for their part in a confrontation at the end of their Championship match with Stoke City.
The Football Association have today confirmed the news in a statement, hitting the Tigers for £50,000 and Stoke for £25,000.
The statement read: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Stoke City FC and Hull City AFC following the mass confrontation at their EFL Championship match on Saturday, 29 November.
“It was alleged that after the final whistle, both clubs failed to ensure that their players did not behave in an improper and/or provocative way.
“Both clubs admitted the charge and the Regulatory Commission imposed a £25,000 fine on Stoke City FC, and a £50,000 fine on Hull City AFC following a hearing.”
The incident flared at the end of City’s 2-1 win at the bet365 Stadium, after Sergej Jakirovic’s men came from a goal down to score a last-minute winner through Joe Gelhardt.
Hull were fined £50,000 because it was their second breach of the season, after a confrontation against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s. They were fined £25,000 for that breach.
The judgement for the hearing explained: “In applying the criteria set out in the Essential Information for Clubs 2025-2026 it is clear that this is a second nonstandard breach of Rule E20 for Hull City AFC within 12 months, the previous fine being £25,000.00.
“Therefore, the Entry Point for the Commission is a £50,000.00 financial sanction. It is also the club’s fourth breach within 12 months. As above, and considering the mitigation put forward, the Commission were not minded to increase the financial sanction.”
In responding to the charge on December 8, the Tigers submitted: “…whilst their player [John Lundstram] should not have made the gesture he did towards the supporters, it was submitted it was a relatively innocuous gesture which did not warrant the reaction of the Stoke City player who took issue with this, pushing and shoving him aggressively.
“This prompted other players to become involved who were seeking to restrain the Stoke City player.
“The club also drew the Commission’s attention to the fan who managed to make his way onto the pitch, slipping in the process, and also the additional coming together of players and technical area occupants from both sides.
“It was submitted, as noted by the Match Referee, that members of both technical areas who came onto the field of play did so to predominantly play the role of peacemakers.
“In addition, the Club wished for it to be noted that they apologised for the incident and also admitted the charge at the earliest opportunity.”
Speaking after the match, Stoke boss Mark Robins anticipated a fine which he said would be an ‘absolute joke’.
Jakirovic would not be drawn on the incident at the time and said: “I didn’t see that because I spoke with the Stoke City gaffer. Then he showed me, and then I looked around and saw 50 people together. I don’t know what happened, but we all tried to split the players to go in peace, but also for me, this is part of football.”