Everton and Boro fined

Middlesbrough and Everton have been fined by the Football Association and warned about their future conduct after the "mass confrontation" when they met at the Riverside Stadium in January.

Both sides will have to pay £8,000 after admitting to failing to control their players in the 1-1 draw.

A statement on the FA's official website www.thefa.com read: "At a Disciplinary Commission hearing today, Middlesbrough FC and Everton FC were both severely reprimanded, warned as to their future conduct and fined £8,000.

"The clubs had admitted breaches of FA Rule E22a for failing to ensure that their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion.

"The charges related to a mass confrontation during the Premier League match at the Riverside Stadium on January 16, 2005."

The ugly scenes were sparked when Everton striker Duncan Ferguson was brought on as a substitute by manager David Moyes in the 74th minute.

The former Scotland international's intelligent header set up an equaliser for midfielder Tim Cahill.

Shortly after the leveller Ferguson made a rash challenge on Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer following a corner, leading to a melee in the hosts' six-yard area.

Moyes, however, played down the incident after the match.

"If there was an FA inquiry I would wonder why," he said. "The ball was dropped by the goalkeeper and if I was a player I would definitely have gone for it.

"I think the only reason there was a melee was because it was after a corner and it was in such a close, confined space."