The English Football Association have reacted swiftly to Saturday's outbreak of brawling in the Premiership matches at Elland Road and Stamford Bridge. The FA announced yesterday that Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Wimbledon have all been charged with misconduct and with failing to control their players. All four clubs will be fined if they are found guilty, but of much greater significance to the quartet is that, privately, each has been warned that a repetition of the alleged misdemeanour will result in the deduction of points.

There are precedents; a decade ago Arsenal had two points deducted following a 21-man fracas involving George Graham's players and Manchester United and four years ago, Middlesbrough had three points removed after failing to fulfil a fixture at Blackburn Rovers.

Two Republic of Ireland internationals, Ian Harte of Leeds and Kenny Cunningham of Wimbledon, were central figures in both matches, with Harte facing a separate charge for his last minute stamp on the chest of Tottenham defender Chris Perry.

Harte can expect a two-match ban at least. Lee Bowyer's equally dangerous challenge on Stephen Clemence was not singled out.

The normally placid Cunningham became embroiled in an incident with Chelsea's Dennis Wise near the end of the game at Stamford Bridge and the disagreement is alleged to have continued in the tunnel with the Wimbledon coach Egil Olsen being pinned against the wall.

All charged have 14 days to respond.