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Feisty derby sees Birmingham hit with disciplinary charge

The FA have charged Birmingham following the angry scenes at their 1-0 derby defeat by Aston Villa on Sunday. The club have been charged with failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion after referee Martin Atkinson was surrounded by a furious group following his award of a late penalty.

The FA said in a statement: "Birmingham City FC have been charged with failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion, relating to the players' behaviour towards referee Martin Atkinson following the awarding of a spot-kick to Aston Villa late in the fixture.

"Birmingham City defender Stephen Carr has been charged with improper conduct following an incident at the end of the same fixture.

"Meanwhile Roger Johnson, also of City, has been asked to explain comments made to the media after the fixture in relation to referee Martin Atkinson."

The match at Villa Park was decided when Atkinson penalised Johnson for a challenge on Gabriel Agbonlahor with eight minutes remaining and James Milner scored from the spot.

TV replays showed the defender had got a touch on the ball and Johnson said afterwards: "The referee was a disgrace. He's ruined the match and clearly shouldn't be doing these kind of games - it was too big for him.

"I got the ball cleanly, everyone could see that, and the ref can't make a decision if he's not sure. The rules say if you're not sure, you don't give a penalty."

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