Aston Villa fined over pitch invasion at end of FA Cup quarter-final
LONDON (AP) - Aston Villa have been fined 200,000 pounds ($315,000) after fans invaded the pitch during the club's FA Cup quarterfinal match against West Bromwich Albion in March.
Dozens of Aston Villa fans spilled onto the pitch at Villa Park in premature celebration during stoppage time of their team's 2-0 win on March 7. Thousands more poured onto the playing surface after the final whistle, mobbing Villa players and leaving West Brom's players needing to weave through supporters to get back to the dressing room.
The English Football Association says Thursday that Aston Villa were punished for ''failing to ensure that no spectators or unauthorized persons were permitted to encroach onto the pitch area.''
Aston Villa, which have already apologized for the incidents, was also warned about their future conduct.
