One of Newcastle United’s rivals for Champions League qualification have been charged by the FA on the eve of the final weekend of the season.
Five teams head into the final day of the season with hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League, with just three of those set to end Sunday having secured a top five finish. Liverpool and Arsenal have already qualified for next season’s Champions League, with Tottenham Hotspur’s win in the Europa League final earning them a place.
Villa, meanwhile, will be hoping for a slip up from one of those and can pounce on that if they beat Manchester United at Old Trafford. Forest, meanwhile, sit a point behind the three teams above them and know they must win and hope that one of Newcastle and Villa drop points or City lose to Fulham.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side host Chelsea in what could be a straight shootout for the Champions League - but have been hit with an FA charge on the eve of the crucial weekend.
Nottingham Forest charged by the FA
Ahead of their clash against Enzo Maresca’s side, Forest have been charged by the FA for failing to control their players during the final stages of their win over West Ham on Sunday. The Hammers have also been charged by the FA for the incident.
‘It's alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players didn't behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the 103rd minute.
‘West Ham United and Nottingham Forest have to provide their responses by Friday, 23 May.’
A melee involving players from both teams erupted from almost nowhere in the dying stages of their clash at the London Stadium, with VAR called in to check potential red cards. Neither side were shown a red whilst Edson Alvarez, Carlos Soler, Murillo and Morato were all shown yellow cards, however.
Victory for Forest in the capital, just a few hours before Newcastle were beaten by Arsenal across London, ensured that the Tricky Trees would enter the final weekend of the season with a chance of qualifying for the Champions League. After spending the vast majority of the season in the upper echelons of the Premier League table, a late season stumble has allowed other clubs to leapfrog them in the table and whilst they do have a chance of finishing in the top five, their destiny is out of their hands.
Newcastle United, meanwhile, know that victory against Everton will be enough to ensure Champions League football returns to St James’ Park next season due to their vastly superior goal difference over Aston Villa.
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