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QPR and Fulham both charged by FA over Loftus Road London derby melee

Tempers flared near full-time: Getty Images
Tempers flared near full-time: Getty Images

QPR and Fulham have both been charged by the Football Association in relation to the late melee which marred their 1-1 Championship draw at Loftus Road on Saturday.

Tempers boiled over in two melees in the final few minutes of Saturday's west London derby draw.

The first involved members of both managements teams as well as players, and ended with Holloway's assistant Marc Bircham being sent from the dugout by Stroud, while the second saw Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney escape with a yellow card following an altercation with Ryan Manning.

A statement on the FA's website read: "Queens Park Rangers and Fulham have both been charged with two breaches of FA Rule E20(a) following their game on Saturday [21 January 2017].

"It is alleged that in or around the 91st minute of the fixture, the clubs failed to ensure their players and/or officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion.

"It is further alleged that in or around the 94th minute, they failed to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion.

"In addition, QPR coach Marc Bircham and Fulham member of staff Marco Cesarini have also been charged in relation to the same game.

"It is alleged their behaviour in or around the 90th minute amounted to improper conduct.

"All parties have until 6pm on 26 January 2017 to respond to the charges."

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

QPR boss Ian Holloway criticised referee Keith Stroud's for "losing control" of the match, saying: "Things happened that you would expect to be controlled by the officials. It was all, 'What's going on here?'

"I thought the referee lost control of the situation. I'm not sure who started it. There was a bit of a ruck and for once I wasn't involved.

"It was a mad couple of minutes. It felt like it was madness for a while.

"I think it's the pressure the referees have been put under. I've known Mr Stroud for years and he has been a fantastic referee.

"What they're being asked to do and how they're being asked to referee has changed. I felt he lost control of the game."