Sunderland and Newcastle have accepted the Football Association's misconduct charge along with requesting personal hearings.
Personal hearing requested over Tyne-Wear derby fracas
Sunderland and Newcastle have accepted the Football Association's misconduct charge along with requesting personal hearings.
The Black Cats and Magpies were charged last week in the wake of their 1-1 draw in the Tyne-Wear derby on March 4th.
The contest was overshadowed by a number of feisty incidents, although the charge relates specifically to a mass scuffle which followed a challenge from Sunderland's James McClean on Newcastle full-back Danny Simpson.
The ensuing melee meant the clubs were charged with a "failure to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour".
Accepted
Sunderland playmaker Stephane Sessegnon was later sent off for throwing an arm towards Newcastle's Cheick Tiote while Black Cats skipper Lee Cattermole was dismissed following the final whistle for using foul and abusive language towards referee Mike Dean.
The teams had until 4pm on March 12th to respond to the charge, of which they have now both accepted.
"Sunderland AFC has accepted a charge of misconduct from the Football Association following an alleged breach of FA Rule E20 (a) during last weekend's Barclays Premier League fixture at Newcastle United," read a statement on Sunderland's
official website.
"The club has requested a personal hearing to discuss this incident further."
