Aston Villa and West Ham have both been charged for multiple breaches by the FA following a series of incidents during their WSL clash on Saturday.
Hawa Cissoko was sent off in stoppage time during her side’s 2-1 victory for hitting out at Sarah Mayling after she had been fouled by the Villa fullback. This sparked a touchline melee, with Hammers boss Paul Konchesky and Villa’s operations manager Jack Hopkins also given their marching orders.
Konchesky explained at full time that he was ‘sticking up for his players’, while Cissoko has issued an apology and expressed ‘sincere regret’ for her actions.
The FA has charged the two clubs with a breach of FA Rule E20, for failing ‘to ensure their players and/or officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion’. Aston Villa intend to contest the charges.
Cissoko, Konchesky and Hopkins have all been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3
“It is alleged that the West Ham United Women FC defender’s behaviour was violent following the offence that she was subsequently sent off for, and that it was also improper afterwards in the technical area,” an FA statement read.
“It is alleged that the behaviour of West Ham United Women FC’s manager and Aston Villa Women FC’s Operations Assistant was also improper around the 91st minute.”
The clubs and players have until Monday 24 October 2022 to respond to their charges.
“Aston Villa Women acknowledge the charges made by the FA in response to events from our Barclays WSL fixture against West Ham United last weekend,” a Villa statement read. “The club will be contesting both charges. No further comment will be made at this time.”
