Gillingham and Shrewsbury Town have been charged with failing to control their players following an incident in their League One clash last Saturday.

The 98th minute coming together on the touchline saw the game descended into farce as there were “disappointing” scenes on the respective dug-outs at the final whistle as referee Allison brandished four red cards.

Two were for the home side and one each for Danny Phillips and assistant boss Paul Raynor, who had been knocked to the floor by Shrewsbury’s reserve keeper Henry Burgoyne who leapt from his seat on the home bench in truly bewildering scenes.

Phillips clashed with David Davis after the two ended up on the floor after a challenge, but as both had already been cautioned by the official, both were sent to the stands.

But what followed almost beggared belief as sub keeper Burgoyne left his place on the bench and started “throwing punches” at the Gills assistant boss as both benches had to be separated.

What was said to spark such a reaction off the field is something that will possibly never be known, but the pictures of a player effectively assaulting a member of the opposition coaching team sadly will reflect very poorly on the game as a whole.

Having looked at the video evidence, the FA have decided to charge both sides and have issued the following statement:

“Gillingham FC and Shrewsbury Town FC have been charged with two breaches of FA rule E20.1 following their EFL League One fixture on Saturday (28/08/21).”

“It is alleged that both clubs failed to esnure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour during the 95th minute of the game.”

“It is also alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players and/or club officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative and/or violent behaviour during the 99th minute.”

“Gillingham FC and Shrewsbury Town FC have until Tuesday (07/09/21) to provide their respective responses.”

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally is known to have been in London on Friday consulting with the club’s lawyers and is expected to mount a firm defence in respect to the charges.

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.