Luton Town charged over push on Sunderland’s Amad Diallo and pitch invasion in play-off semi-final
- Planet Sport writer
- 17 July 2023
Luton Town have been charged over two incidents which followed their play-off semi-final win against Sunderland.
Luton have been charged by the Football Association over a push by a fan on Sunderland's Amad Diallo during their Championship play-off semi-final second leg in May, and for a pitch invasion at the end of the same game.
The Hatters, who sealed promotion to the Premier League with victory over Coventry at Wembley later the same month, have also been charged over an alleged failure to provide information requested as part of the FA's investigation into these two crowd control incidents.
Diallo was manhandled by a supporter close to the touchline at Kenilworth Road as the Sunderland loanee from Manchester United went to retrieve the ball from the crowd for a throw-in.
Supporters then entered the field of play when Luton's 2-0 win on the night sealed a 3-2 aggregate victory.
The FA said in a statement released on Monday afternoon: "We have charged Luton Town with breaches of FA Rules E21 and F2 in relation to their EFL Championship game against Sunderland on Tuesday May 16.
"It's alleged that the club failed to ensure their spectators and/or supporters - and anyone purporting to be their supporters or followers - conducted themselves in an orderly fashion, did not behave in a way which is improper, threatening, violent and/or provocative in the 14th minute, and did not encroach on to the pitch or commit any form of pitch incursion following the final whistle.
"It's further alleged that Luton Town failed to provide information, including written observations and video footage, that we requested as part of our investigation into these crowd control incidents."
The FA said the club had until Friday to respond to the charges.
