Wrexham and Birmingham City fined after match watched by David Beckham and Tom Brady

Wrexham and Birmingham City have both been fined by the FA after a brawl between their players during their recent League One clash.

The likes of David Beckham, Gary Neville and Tom Brady were all in attendance at St Andrew's two weeks ago for the game. The hosts would go on to earn a comeback win against the Welsh side, owned by Hollywood superstars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Jack Marriott gave the visitors an early lead but Jay Stansfield scored twice to turn the game on its head. Birmingham's celebrations were marred by a melee 10 minutes from time though after Birmingham's Alex Cochrane and Wrexham striker Paul Mullin clashed.

All 20 outfield players rushed in to get involved, with Mullin, Wrexham skipper James McClean and Birmingham captain Krystian Bielik were among those booked after the incident. Bielik was later sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

The FA quickly charged both clubs over the incident and have now handed out a punishment to the two rivals. In a statement, the governing body said: "Birmingham City and Wrexham have been fined following their EFL League One match on Monday 16 September.

"Both clubs admitted that they failed to ensure their players did not behave in an improper and provocative way during the 80th minute. Birmingham City have been fined the £2,500 standard penalty and an independent Regulatory Commission imposed a £3,750 fine on Wrexham."

Mullin later denied suggestions that he bit Cochrane on the leg and the FA took no action against the Wrexham star. Birmingham boss Chris Davies meanwhile hit out at both sets of players for the melee.

“I had my back turned to the melee because there was all that nonsense going on. I didn’t actually know that he’d picked up the first yellow, and then I saw the incident on the touchline when they were breaking away and you probably pick up a booking for that," he said.

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“I’m very disappointed to lose him. That overshadows it a little bit. He’s our captain and an important player. But we have a squad for a reason and it gives other players an opportunity."

Wrexham owner Reynolds was gracious in defeat as he sent a message to Birmingham's minority shareholder Brady. He tweeted: "Tough loss to a good club. Congrats @bcfc, @tombrady on the win. Lots of season yet to go. Up The Town. Now and forever."

Meanwhile Dragons boss Phil Parkinson took aim at the level of spending from Birmingham in the summer as he defended his side's efforts. Parkinson said: "For us as a group it’s a good learning curve. Any defeat is tough to take, but we have to be realistic in terms of where we’ve come from.

“They have spent more money than any team outside of the Premier League, and have good quality players, but there are areas to improve. It’s about responding and if we come up against that situation again, when we’re under pressure, can we do better?”

Birmingham currently sit top of the third tier, with Wrexham two points behind in second, though they have played a game more. The leaders are next in action on Tuesday when they host Huddersfield Town, while Parkinson's side travel to Stevenage.

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