Stockport County have been charged by the Football Association for a pitch invasion that followed their League One play-off semi-final victory last season. The charge relates to hundreds of supporters entering the field at Edgeley Park after the 2-0 second-leg win over Stevenage in May, which secured a 3-0 aggregate triumph and a trip to Wembley.
The FA said it had charged Stockport with breaching rule E21, which concerns "failing to ensure spectators do not behave in a way which is improper, offensive, violent, threatening, abusive, indecent, insulting or provocative and/or encroaching onto the pitch." The club has until 10 October to provide its formal response to the governing body. The incident occurred in the immediate aftermath of a match that booked a play-off final place, which the Hatters ultimately lost 4-1 to Bolton Wanderers.
This off-field matter emerges as Dave Challinor's side are focused on their current campaign, where they sit fifth in League One with 13 points from eight games. The team is on a two-game winning run, most recently beating Shrewsbury Town 2-0 last weekend, and they host Barnsley next.
The club must now handle the FA disciplinary process while preparing for their next League One match at home to Barnsley on Saturday.
