Blues face rap over crowd control

Birmingham have been charged by the Football Association after the behaviour of their fans during the Barclaycard Premiership clash with Aston Villa on September 16.

The Blues won the St Andrews contest 3-0 but supporters got onto the field of play after all three goals – and this has prompted the FA to act.

A statement on the www.thefa.com today read: “We can confirm the FA have today charged Birmingham City with breach of Rules E21a and E21b, which respectively deal with the failure to ensure the proper conduct of spectators and to ensure that no spectators encroach onto the field of play.

“The charges relate to the behaviour of Birmingham fans during the derby with Aston Villa at St Andrews on September 15. The club have 14 days to respond.”