Newcastle United man facing further action after official statement & three-match ban

With the Magpies leading 1-0 and Unai Emery’s side down to 10 men following Jhon Duran’s dismissal, tempers flared in the tunnel at half-time, resulting in further red cards for United assistant Jason Tindall and Villa analyst Victor Manas.

The FA launched an investigation and has since charged Newcastle and Villa for failing “to ensure that their players and/or technical area occupants did not behave in a way which is improper and/or provocative within the tunnel area.”

Meanwhile, Tindall and Manas are alleged to have “acted in an improper manner”. Those involved have until Monday, January 13 to respond to the charges.

Asked about the incident, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said: “I saw plenty [of the incident],” Howe said. “I don't know the actual details of why he was sent off, that would need some clarification from me because if you're going to send him off you could probably send 10 to 15 people off. I'm not quite sure what he's been charged with.

“I don't think [a ‘20-man melee’] is far off, I think. These things always start not with the intention of it happening in the way that it did. It was probably 17 or 18 people trying to calm it down but what it looks like then is more people are involved and no one wants to see that.

“It's not at all how I want my players and staff to be but sometimes you have to stand up for what you think is right and protect each other.

“I'm not 100% sure [what happened], it goes over in a blur and I was right at the top of it. I think frustration spilling out from what happened in the first half.”

Tindall and Manas have been able to continue on the touchline since the incident but face a ban if found guilty. Duran, meanwhile, serves the final match of his three-game suspension when Villa face West Ham United in the FA Cup third round on Friday night.

Villa were unhappy with the decision to send off Duran after believing his stamp on Fabian Schar was accidental. An appeal was lodged but subsequently turned.