West Brom midfielder Chris Brunt has been hit with a Football Association charge for a tunnel bust-up with a match official as the fall-out from the club's FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Aston Villa continues.
Villa supporters twice invaded the pitch during their side's 2-0 victory over local rivals West Brom at Villa Park - whilst a number of seats were thrown by the travelling fans.
Now Brunt, 30, faces reprimands for using abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards a match official at the end of the tie.
The Football Association had already confirmed both clubs had been contacted regarding the supporter incidents as the ill-tempered game ended with both sides reduced to 10 men.
Baggies' boss Tony Pulis has called for those West Brom supporters found to have been throwing seats to be handed bans - but he could now also lose Northern Ireland international Brunt for a period of time.
"West Bromwich Albion's Chris Brunt has been charged following The FA Cup quarter-final tie against Aston Villa on Saturday 7 March 2015," a short statement issued on the FA's website read.
"It is alleged that in or around the tunnel area after the end of the fixture the player used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards a Match Official.
"He has until 6pm on 12 March 2015 to respond to the charge."
Fabian Delph and Scott Sinclair scored the goals to take Tim Sherwood's side into the semi-finals for the first time since 2010, but the game was marred with the pitch invasions as well as red cards for Villa substitute Jack Grealish and West Brom midfielder Claudio Yacob.
Source: PA
