The Football Association has fined Chelsea and West Ham United for a mass confrontation between players during a January Premier League match. The London clubs must pay fines of £325,000 and £300,000 respectively. The incident occurred in the 95th minute of the match at Stamford Bridge, which Chelsea won 3-2. As a result of the brawl, West Ham defender Jean-Clair Todibo was shown a red card for grabbing Joao Pedro by the throat. The clubs admitted to the charges. An independent regulatory commission considered both teams' previous offences against FA regulations.

Heavy Fines for Clubs

Chelsea has been fined £325,000, and West Ham United £300,000. The penalty was imposed by the Football Association's independent regulatory commission for a mass confrontation between players.

Brawl in Derby Match

The incident occurred on January 31, 2026, at Stamford Bridge in the 95th minute of a Premier League match, which Chelsea won 3-2. About 20 players from both teams were involved in the brawl following a clash between Adama Traore and Marc Cucurella.

Red Card for Attack

West Ham United defender Jean-Clair Todibo was sent off with a red card shown after VAR intervention. Referee Anthony Taylor penalized him for violent conduct after he grabbed Chelsea forward Joao Pedro by the throat.

Admission of Guilt

Both clubs admitted to the charges brought against them. The charges concerned the clubs' failure to ensure their players did not behave in an improper, provocative, and – in West Ham's case – also violent manner.

The Football Association has imposed heavy financial penalties on Chelsea and West Ham United following a mass brawl between players during a Premier League match in late January. Chelsea must pay a £325,000 fine, and West Ham – £300,000. The decision was made by the FA's independent regulatory commission after both clubs admitted to the charges. The incident, which media described as "serious and ugly," happened in stoppage time, in the 95th minute of the match at Stamford Bridge on January 31. The hosts secured a dramatic 3-2 victory at that time. The immediate spark was a clash between West Ham forward Adama Traore and Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella. Chelsea's Joao Pedro then approached Traore, which triggered an aggressive reaction. In the chaos that engulfed about twenty players, West Ham defender Jean-Clair Todibo grabbed Pedro by the throat. After the situation was reviewed by the video assistant referee (VAR), referee Anthony Taylor showed the Frenchman a red card for violent conduct.The Football Association has been running a campaign against brutality and unsporting behavior on the pitch for years. Regulatory rule E20.1 prohibits players from behavior that is "improper, offensive, violent, threatening, abusive, indecent, insulting or provocative." In the past, clubs have already been penalized for similar incidents, which was taken into account when determining the penalty. In an official statement, the FA stated that Chelsea was charged with "failing to ensure its players did not behave in an improper and/or provocative manner around the 95th minute." West Ham received a similar charge, extended to include an element of violence. Both clubs "subsequently admitted to the charges brought against them." When imposing the fines, the commission took into account the fact that both clubs had previous offences against the same rule. The entire case highlights the ongoing disciplinary problems in English football and the league authorities' determination to combat them using severe financial sanctions. „"It was alleged that Chelsea FC failed to ensure its players didn't behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the 95th minute. It was also alleged that West Ham United FC failed to ensure its players didn't behave in an improper and/or provocative and/or violent way at this time."” — The Football Association

Mentioned People

  • Jean-Clair Todibo — West Ham United defender who received a red card for grabbing Joao Pedro by the throat during the brawl.
  • Joao Pedro — Chelsea forward who was attacked by Jean-Clair Todibo during the mass confrontation.
  • Anthony Taylor — The referee of the Chelsea vs. West Ham match, who showed Todibo the red card after VAR intervention.
  • Adama Traore — West Ham United forward whose clash with Marc Cucurella sparked the brawl.
  • Marc Cucurella — Chelsea defender who was involved in the initial clash with Adama Traore.