Gillingham have been hit with a £5,000 fine and costs following a touchline brawl against Shrewsbury in August.

Home side Shrewsbury have also been ordered to pay £5k. The Gills can appeal the decision should they wish.

An independent regulatory commission examined video footage of the incident at the end of the League 1 match which led to both clubs facing two charges by the FA for misconduct.

The match descended into chaos shortly after Dan Phillips was sent off for the Gills and David Davis was red carded for Shrewsbury. Both received second yellows following a coming together although it took a member of Gillingham's coaching team to tell the referee that Davis had already been cautioned earlier in the match.

Referee Sam Allison blew early for full-time after a scuffle in the technical area which saw Shrews’ substitute goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne put Gillingham assistant manager Paul Raynor to the floor.

Mr Allison said that Raynor had adopted “an aggressive manner” and was behaving “in a violent confrontational manner prior to the engagement.” Raynor was shown a red card as was Burgoyne. The Shrewsbury goalkeeper received a three-game ban.

Shrewsbury Town admitted both charges of misconduct.

Gillingham admitted their first charge, which was that in the 95th minute the club failed to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour.

The second charge was that in the 99th minute the Gills failed to ensure that its players and/or club officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative and/or violent behaviour. This was denied and Gillingham requested a personal hearing.

Video evidence was submitted, but the report stated that, in conclusion, “the footage clearly showed a number of Gillingham FC players and staff involved in disorderly, provocative, and violent conduct.”

Gillingham's response was that their players had not engaged in physical confrontation, that they were trying to calm the situation and take preventative measures. In addition they said Shrewsbury manager Steve Cotterill entered the opposition technical area shouting foul and abusive language and that the sub goalkeeper was acting in a very violent manner.

The match officials weren’t at the hearing, which took place on October 5. Chairman Paul Scally represented the Gills.

Gillingham manager Steve Evans wanted to be there to give evidence but that was denied by the FA, who felt the video footage was enough to make a decision. The report said that “The FA had clearly set out, on a number of occasions, repeated attempts to glean any further evidence that the club sought to rely on, beyond their initial email denying the charge. The club had failed to do so.”

Sam Shurey was representing the FA and he stated that Gillingham’s goalkeeper coach Ian Pledger was “being restrained by a match steward" and that "his action were clearly disorderly and aggressive...He was clearly restrained by the steward to stop him getting at the opposing manager.”

The commission did not accept a self defence claim from the Gills. Both charges were proven.

Shrewsbury were set for a £7,500 fine but that was reduced to £5,000 for admitting the charges. The Gills were fined the same amount (£5,000) plus £300 costs. The decisions are subject to any appeal.

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