Hull City and Birmingham City have both received sanctions from the FA after admitting to charges related to a confrontation during their match at St Andrew’s. Hull were fined for their involvement in a touchline clash that erupted during their 3–2 win over Birmingham in October.
Hull secured the victory through an own goal by Jack Robinson, a finish from Regan Slater, and a late strike from Joe Gelhardt in the 90th minute. But just before the break, tempers flared when Patrick Roberts was fouled by Kyle Joseph, who was then brought down by Jay Stansfield. The challenge triggered a mass altercation involving players from both teams, and tensions continued as members of both benches became involved.
As a result, both clubs were charged, and the FA released its verdict today: Birmingham have been fined £115,000, while Hull received the minimum penalty of £25,000. The FA said both clubs failed to ensure their players and technical-area staff acted properly around the 42nd minute.
The statement read:
“Both clubs admitted the charge, and an independent Regulatory Commission imposed fines of £115,000 and £25,000 on Birmingham City FC and Hull City FC respectively.”
Birmingham were hit with a much heavier sanction due to their poor disciplinary record, having committed five previous breaches of FA Rule E20.
The FA’s report included a section from referee Ruebyn Ricardo, who wrote:
“In the 45th minute, a challenge by BC28 resulted in a MASS CONFRONTATION between both technical areas, Birmingham City stewards, and both sets of players. There were reports of stewards being pushed by Hull City staff and vice versa. Following the incident, BC28 and HC21 were cautioned along with two staff members from each side.”
The judgement also noted Hull’s disciplinary record: while the first team had no recent offences, the club had two youth-level E20 breaches in the previous year, each resulting in a £1,250 fine — one against Coventry City in February (U23s), and another against Swansea City in April (U18s).
Both clubs may appeal, but for now this looks to close the chapter on a heated incident that carried over into the post-match interviews.
After the game, Hull manager Sergej Jakirović said he had remained in his technical area and claimed Birmingham staff approached him. He explained he received a yellow card for indicating an imaginary booking after what he believed was a reckless foul on Kyle Joseph. Jakirović also alleged that Birmingham personnel told him to “go to Croatia,” which he described as disrespectful. He added that he chose not to shake hands afterward but insisted he could handle the situation.
Birmingham boss Chris Davies offered a different perspective, saying the altercation looked like a typical football scuffle and that he was surprised Jakirović refused the post-match handshake. Davies said it had never happened to him before as a manager but accepted the situation as it was.
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