Matches between MK Dons and Wimbledon need no further edge for obvious reasons.
Now Wimbledon midfielder Harry Pell has received a one-match ban and fined £1,000 after he was alleged to have deliberately kicked balls at MK Dons supporters during the warm-up before the two sides met in League Two earlier in March.
Pell was taking shots at goal with his teammates when the crowd in the away end started to taunt him at The Cherry Red Records Stadium. A video on social media showed Pell beginning to miss the target by a wide margin, prompting many to accuse the midfielder of aiming for the crowd rather than the goal.
The video prompted MK Dons to make a formal complaint to the FA and the midfielder has now been charged, with the governing body determining that he was doing it on purpose and that one of his efforts ‘likely' hit an 11-year-old girl.
Interesting warm up from Harry Pell, who has spent the last few minutes booting the ball into the away end. #AFCW pic.twitter.com/c8S2h4EgUy
— Conor Keenan (@ConorJKeenan) March 2, 2024
Wimbledon midfielder banned: Harry Pell accepts charge
The 32-year-old has accepted the verdict and released the following statement:
“I accept that my actions on 2nd March were not befitting of a professional footballer. The situation got the better of me and I responded inappropriately to the away support. My ‘shots’ were not struck with power but were intended more as a playful response to the verbal abuse from some of the spectators.
“Sending the ball into the stands was a ‘rush of blood’ reaction – on mature reflection, I should have simply ignored the shouts and got on with my warm-up.
“Fully understanding now the impact my actions may have had on the individuals effected (even though done without malice) and mindful of my professional responsibilities, I admit the charge. I accept my actions were improper.
“I would also wish to apologise unreservedly to anyone who was hurt in any way, and to The Football Association.”
MK Dons and Wimbledon fined after full-time fracas
In addition to the sanctions against Pell, both MK Dons and Wimbledon have been fined for the ugly scenes after the match. Both sets of players had to be separated after a group of Wimbledon players began goading the away MK Dons fans after their late winner.
Wimbledon were found to be “largely, if not solely to blame” for the events and were fined £8,000 while MK Dons were fined £2,500.
With both teams currently in the playoff positions in League Two, there is every chance that they will do battle again either in a semi-final or final in the coming months. If they do, then tensions will perhaps be higher than ever between two clubs who do not get along.