Middlesbrough and Everton accept FA charges

Everton striker Duncan Ferguson. Middlesbrough and Everton both accepted Football Association charges of bad behaviour during their 1-1 Premiership draw at the Riverside on January 16, the FA announced.

Middlesbrough and Everton both accepted Football Association charges of bad behaviour during their 1-1 Premiership draw at the Riverside on January 16, the FA announced.

A statement on the FA's official website added: "Both clubs have requested personal hearings which will be scheduled in due course."

Trouble flared towards the end of the match when Everton substitute Duncan Ferguson sparked a wrestling match in Mark Schwarzer's goal after accidentally kicking Boro's Australian keeper while going for a loose ball close to the goal-line.

Middlesbrough players took offence and charged towards Ferguson en masse. In all, 21 players were ultimately involved.

Remarkably referee Dermot Gallagher refused to book a single player despite lecturing both captains.

Both clubs were charged with breaching rule E21a - "a failure to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from violent and/or threatening and/or provocative behaviour."