FA reduces Tottenham fine by £50k after Battle of the Bridge appeal

A spot of good news amidst all the existential transfer-related ennui. The FA released a statement saying that, upon appeal, it had reduced the fines imposed on Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea after this spring’s “Battle of the Bridge” match at Stamford Bridge.

The FA reduced Spurs’ fine from £225,000 to £175,000, and Chelsea’s fine from £375,000 to £290,000. The fines were imposed after an... edgy draw at Stamford Bridge that saw Tottenham pick up 10 yellow cards and saw Moussa Dembele hit with a six match ban for gouging the eye of Diego Costa.

Meanwhile, the match was also known for the things that WEREN’T called, like Erik Lamela stepping on Cesc Fabregas’ hand, and a post-match scrum at the tunnel that saw outgoing Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink accidentally shoved to the ground.

The reduction in fines is nice and all; £50k is nothing to sneeze at, and Chelsea still have to pay more after the reduction than Spurs were set to pay before it. So that’s hilarious.

There was no word on what, if any, fine or punishment Mark Clattenburg received for completely failing to do his job during that match.