The aftershocks of last weekend’s League Two grudge match continued on Thursday when an AFC Wimbledon player was charged by the Football Association over accusations he spent the warm-up deliberately kicking balls at MK Dons fans.
Enmity between Wimbledon and the team who had that name before leaving south London for Buckinghamshire in 2002 has endured for more than two decades. It fuels a rivalry that led to a fiercely contested match at Plough Lane last Saturday. With six yellow cards on each side, the match was decided by a dramatic winner for AFC Wimbledon in added time. Celebrations, however, were followed by a brawl and both sides were charged by the FA on Wednesday with failing to control their players.
After the match, an MK Dons supporter group said they intended to register a further complaint about Harry Pell’s behaviour. “We plan on making a formal complaint by whatever means necessary and to whoever it may concern regarding the AFC Wimbledon player that booted 10-plus balls into the MK Dons away fans prior to kick-off, whilst his teammates peacefully warmed up,” the group Franchise Dons said.
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On Thursday an FA spokesperson said: “AFC Wimbledon’s Harry Pell has been charged with misconduct following their EFL League Two game against MK Dons on March 2. It’s alleged that the midfielder acted in an improper manner in the warmup before the game and he has until March 11 to provide a response.”
Pell, who is 32 and in his second spell with AFC Wimbledon, was filmed during the warm-up performing shooting practice while facing the Cherry Red Records stand where away fans sit. Turned slightly away from the goal, he is shown driving through the ball and semi-slicing it into the crowd. If found guilty of misconduct, Pell could be fined or suspended.
