Sheffield United have spoken to Football Association over post-Plymouth Argyle scenes
Following tense scenes at the conclusion of Saturday’s televised match against Plymouth Argyle, Sheffield United has provided the Football Association with their “observations” as requested.
After the 2-1 victory, which damaged the visitors’ chances of automatic promotion and raised Argyle’s hopes of avoiding relegation from the Championship, Blades manager Chris Wilder was spotted furiously addressing Plymouth players as they exited the pitch.
Then, as both teams descended the tunnel, the television cameras caught them jostling down, with Wilder at the middle of it.
Chris Wilder explains Plymouth Argyle tunnel spat after Sheffield United defeat
“As we walked off there were some verbals with a couple of players and then there are about 70 people going into a tight tunnel area,” Wilder added. “There were verbals and stuff, but we’ve responded to the FA in terms of observations, and I’ve got no issues with Plymouth Argyle. It was two teams fighting different battles, an emotional game.
“I went to speak to their manager, absolutely no issue between the managers and staff. The ref said he’d possibly have to stick it in his report but as far as he was concerned there was nothing in it, and the same with his assessor. That’s where it was at and as far as I’m concerned, we move on.
“I told the players, we need to clear our heads over the weekend and have a good week. There’ll be a lot of people talking about our season being done and dusted, but it’s not. We’ve put ourselves in a not-great position and we’ve given up an advantage. But that’s all we’ve done, and we need to be positive.”
FA response to Sheffield United detailed amid fresh fine fear as boss responds to crude Phil Brown comparison
The FA’s response to Sheffield United is described in detail as the manager reacts to crude Comparing Phil Brown
The Blades were asked by the FA for their views of Saturday’s post-match brawl against Plymouth Argyle, and Sheffield United is trying to avoid the prospect of another hefty sanction. This season, the Blades have already been in hot water several times, and their total fines have topped a quarter of a million pounds.
Given that the penalty could double each time, United cannot afford to have too many run-ins with the FA’s disciplinary committee. However, following the loss at Home Park, there were concerns that they might be headed for another one after a verbal altercation between two home players and manager Chris Wilder led to a gathering that included representatives from both teams and continued into the tunnel.
Both managers downplayed the incident following the game, but Wilder disclosed that the FA had gotten in touch with the Blades this week to enquire about their thoughts on the matter. “As you would expect from me, I’ll tell you exactly where it was at,” Wilder stated prior to Friday’s match at Bramall Lane against Cardiff City.
“I gathered the players at the end of the pitch. I found it significant. Despite what Sky claimed and what people like to do, it wasn’t a Phil Brown moment—the former Hull City manager notoriously lectured his players on the pitch at halftime. We had a tactful conversation with the players about accepting responsibility for this performance and the three games in which we transformed a strong position into a weak one.
Due to their inability to manage its player, the Blades have been disciplined five times this season and twelve times over the previous five.
“We have to own and accept that we haven’t been good enough. It was time not to split and go our own ways and use excuses and blame. This club’s culture is not built on blame and excuses. It’s built on honesty in opinion and actions. Not to go our different ways. Accept the criticism that most probably will be coming our way, and most importantly, go and acknowledge the supporters who’ve made two long journeys and we’ve underachieved.”
In the midst of their survival bid, Wilder then seemed to take issue with a couple of Plymouth players—one of whom, Darko Gyabi, is on loan in Devon from United’s promotion rivals Leeds United—celebrating a huge three points in front of the throngs of United supporters and the Blades players who were trying to cheer them on for their efforts.