Frank Lampard criticized Southampton and Coventry being fined for the confrontation at the end of the match

Southampton and Coventry City were fined after an altercation at the end of a Championship match in December, with Sky Blues boss Frank Lampard’s behavior deemed the “catalyst” for the incident.

An independent organizing committee concluded that Lampard’s provocation of his supporters sparked the confrontation within St Mary’s Central Circle.

A number of players and technical staff were involved in a stampede after the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

In written evidence, Southampton’s Leo Senza said Lampard was “making gestures and throwing his arms at our fans”.

Teammate Taylor Harwood-Bellis said he told the Coventry coach, “You’re better than that,” and he replied, “You’re a young boy, show me some respect.”

No written or oral responses to the charge were made by Coventry.

Both clubs accepted a charge of failing to ensure that “players and/or coaching staff did not behave in an inappropriate and/or provocative manner after the final whistle”.

Southampton was fined £22,500 and Coventry £30,000.

A report on the case said: [the Commission] It considered FL’s behaviour, both in provoking the crowd and in interacting with THB, unacceptable and a catalyst for what followed, although it did not excuse the behavior of others.

It also concluded that Coventry’s history of three similar incidents in a match against Sheffield United in 2024 and two under-23 matches was an “aggravating factor”.