'SIGNIFICANT' RULES BREACH

FA REVEAL REASONS FOR 45,000 PITCH INVASION FINE

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

AN independent Regulatory Commission ruled that the seriousness of Plymouth Argyle's breach of Football Association rules as a result of a mass pitch invasion at Home Park after the final game of last season was 'significant! That led to Argyle being fined £45,000 - reduced from being of at least £50,000 based on mitigation and warned as to its future conduct.

The Regulatory Commission also stated they considered there to have been 'poor execution of the prematch plan' to deal with an incursion.

The Written Reasons of the Regulatory Commission, which sat on October 30, have now been released in a 27-page report.

They considered all the events around the pitch invasion following Argyle's 1-0 win against Hull City on May 4, which ensured the Pilgrims avoided relegation from the Championship.

The club were subsequently charged by the FA as follows: "It is alleged that Plymouth Argyle FC failed to ensure that spectators and/ or its supporters (and anyone purporting to be its supporters or followers) conduct themselves in an orderly fashion whilst attending the match and do not behave in a way which is improper, threatening or provocative; and/or not encroach on to the pitch or commit any form of pitch incursion, contrary to FA Rules E21.1 and E21.3." A two minute and 47 second video clip of the incident as fans poured onto the pitch from all parts of the stadium was provided by Argyle for the Regulatory Commission.