Newcastle and Arsenal fined £30,000 for St James' melee

Barton and Gervinho clashed as tempers flared at St James Park

Newcastle and Arsenal have both been fined £30,000 after being found guilty of failing to control their players in their opening league game on 13 August.

Gunners striker Gervinho was sent off after 76 minutes at St James' Park after an altercation with Joey Barton.

Barton had pulled him up from the floor to accuse him of diving but Gervinho slapped him, leading to a tussle.

Arsenal's Alex Song will also serve a three-match ban for an earlier incident involving Barton.

Song and Gervinho missed Saturday's 2-0 Premier League defeat to Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium and will also sit out upcoming games against Manchester United and Swansea.

An FA statement read: "An independent regulatory commission today found both Newcastle United and Arsenal guilty of failing to control their players.

"The charges relate to an incident during their recent league fixture at St James' Park on Saturday 13 August 2011.

"Both clubs denied the charge and requested a non-personal hearing. In each case, the charge was proven by the regulatory commission and both clubs have been fined £30,000."

In response to the sanctions, a Newcastle statement read: "Newcastle United has requested written reasons for the decision from the chairman of the regulatory commission and will consider its position once these have been received."

Barton, meanwhile, received a yellow card for his part in the melee, and as such has already been sanctioned.