The club has today been notified that an FA Regulatory Commission (“the Commission”) has imposed a £5,000 fine, of which £2,000 is suspended, for a breach of FA rule E21 relating to the play-off semi-final home leg against Bradford City on Saturday 20 May 2023.
In the event that CUFC is found to be in further breach of FA rule E21 for any incident(s) on or before 21 November 2024, the suspended fine of £2,000 will be payable immediately (in addition to any separate penalty imposed for any such further breach).
The Commission noted a detailed “Action Plan” is in place already for CUFC until the end of the 2023/24 season. No amendments are made to the terms of that Action Plan. CUFC is formally warned as to future conduct.
The club will not appeal.
The club admitted the charge that it failed to ensure its spectators and/or supporters (and anyone purporting to be its supporters or followers) conduct themselves in an orderly fashion and don't commit any form of pitch incursion [click HERE for more details].
Chief Executive Nigel Clibbens said: "We admitted the charge and provided significant mitigation for the events that took place.
"Having considered the case, the Commission concluded that our culpability fell within the fifth category (lowest category of breach), namely a situation where a club has “marginally failed”.
"The Commission noted the various mitigating factors we put forward but also the aggravating factor of a breached FA Rule E21.4 (discriminatory racist chanting by its spectators) committed in the match at Brunton Park against Bradford City on 26 December 2022.
"We have already implemented changes to arrangements since the start of the season and we will now also look closely and review the findings of the Commission and make any further necessary changes for the future.
"We must continue to reiterate to fans, the pitch is for the players and officials. Pyros and missiles have no place at Brunton Park, at any time."