Flashback: Manchester United and Arsenal fined after mass brawl in 1990

Arsenal and Manchester United were heavily fined and deducted points following a mass brawl between the two teams the previous month in November 1990.
By Sports Desk
Published 15th Nov 2020, 06:00 BST
Manchester United and Arsenal players fight on the pitch during the Barclays League Division One match at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. Arsenal won the match 1-0. Photo: Russell Cheyne/Allsport.Manchester United and Arsenal players fight on the pitch during the Barclays League Division One match at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. Arsenal won the match 1-0. Photo: Russell Cheyne/Allsport.
Manchester United and Arsenal players fight on the pitch during the Barclays League Division One match at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. Arsenal won the match 1-0. Photo: Russell Cheyne/Allsport.

A Football Association disciplinary commission decided to fine both clubs £50,000 each as punishment for the fight involving 21 players at Old Trafford on October 20. In addition to the fine, two league points were deducted from the Gunners and one from United.

Midway through the second half, fighting broke out after Nigel Winterburn made a lunging tackle on United full-back Denis Irwin.

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Brian McClair and Irwin retaliated against Winterburn and Anders Limpar, whose goal earlier in the game saw Arsenal win the match 1-0, with Paul Ince also heavily involved.

All 11 United players and 10 Gunners players on the pitch took part in the melee, with visiting goalkeeper David Seaman the only one not involved.

Incredibly, no-one was sent off, with referee Keith Hackett only showing yellow cards to Limpar and Winterburn for their involvement.

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Related topics:Manchester UnitedArsenalFootball AssociationOld Trafford

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