Palace are charged over brawl

Crystal Palace were today charged with bringing the game into disrepute and face a fine of up to £150,000 for their players' part in a Boxing Day brawl at Gillingham.

The incident followed a disputed first-half penalty in the game Palace lost 4-1.

It is the second time this season the Football Association have called Palace to account for breaches of the mass confrontation rule.

They were fined £20,000 after a 15-man skirmish took place during their First Division match against Nottingham Forest in August.

Tonight, they play Liverpool in the first leg of their Worthington Cup semi-final at Selhurst Park and will be without midfielder Tommy Black and defender Neil Ruddock because of suspensions.

Palace manager Alan Smith said: "I think we will be able to present a good case for the Gillingham incident."