The FA have charged Gillingham with a failure to control their players after December’s home clash with Brentford.

A mass brawl in the game ended with Brentford’s Nathan Elder seeing red and a subsequent review by the FA also saw Gillingham’s Garry Richards receive a

three-game ban for violent conduct

The Gills have denied the charges and requested a personal hearing, while Brentford have been hit with the same charge but decided to admit their guilt.

Gillingham boss Mark Stimson felt the charge was harsh and defended his players’ disciplinary record.

He said: “The decision at the time when Garry got suspended was a crazy one. Apart form one or two, we haven’t got players who put themselves about.

“We’ve got a footballing team so for the referee, or whoever, to say we couldn’t keep out players under control is harsh.”