The English FA seems to be issuing an intent to bottle up physical altercations in the Premier League by charging Everton and West Ham players for not “conducting themselves in an orderly fashion.”
The incident stemmed from the two sides’ clash last weekend that the Toffees won 2-1. A scrappy match broke out early with West Ham midfielder Morgan Amalfitano receiving the worst of it in the 40th minute when Everton’s James McCarthy flew in late with a raised boot. A fracas ensued where Winston Reid and McCarthy were booked by referee Mark Clattenburg, as other players steamed.
The incident prompted the FA to issue the charge, for which the clubs have until December 1st to respond. But given Clattenburg’s capable handling of the situation and the run-of-the-mill nature of the incident, it’s interesting that the FA feels compelled to get involved. Might this be an example of the FA going too far in their policing?
Expect both clubs to appeal.
