FA charges Birmingham

The Football Association have charged Birmingham City for not preventing a pitch invasion after their Carling Cup win over Aston Villa in December.

City ousted their Midlands rivals 1-0 at St Andrew’s in the quarter-final stage of the competition – which Alex McLeish’s side went on to win on Sunday – but English football’s governing body has reprimanded Birmingham for their poor security following the derby victory.

More than 1000 supporters stormed the pitch with five people arrested during the invasion, and the FA have charged Birmingham with failing to prevent their fans from entering the playing arena after the final whistle.

“The FA has today charged Birmingham City FC following the serious crowd disturbances inside St Andrew’s on 1 December 2010,” the statement read.

“It is alleged that Birmingham City FC failed to ensure that spectators didn’t enter the field of play.”

“The club has until 11 March 2011 to respond to the charges.”