Chelsea and West Ham discover FA punishments following ugly melee sparked by Adama Traore clashing with Marc Cucurella and Joao Pedro

The flashpoint occurred late in the contest when West Ham’s Adama Traore became embroiled in a heated exchange with Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella. The initial spark quickly turned into a wildfire as Joao Pedro rushed in to support his teammate, leading to a swarm of players from both sides pushing and shoving on the touchline. Match officials struggled to regain control of the situation for several minutes as the "ugly melee" overshadowed what had been a competitive tactical battle between Liam Rosenior’s side and Nuno Espírito Santo’s Hammers.

Following a thorough review of the match footage and the referee's report, the FA confirmed that both clubs failed to ensure their players behaved in an orderly fashion. A spokesperson for the FA detailed the specific charges and the resulting fines in a statement released on Wednesday.

The official statement from the FA read: "Chelsea and West Ham United have been fined £325,000 and £300,000 respectively for a mass confrontation involving their players at their Premier League match on Saturday 31 January 2026. Both clubs admitted that they failed to ensure their players didn't behave in an improper and provocative way around the 90th minute. An independent Regulatory Commission imposed these fines following a hearing." This decision marks a stern warning to both London outfits regarding their future conduct on the pitch.

While the official charges focus on the collective failure of the clubs, the individual battle between Traoré and Cucurella was undoubtedly the catalyst for the chaos. Traore’s physical approach and Cucurella’s defensive tenacity led to a persistent niggle throughout the second half. When the Spanish international appeared to impede the former Wolves winger near the corner flag, the situation finally exploded. Pedro's intervention only served to escalate the mood, drawing in players from both sides as tensions boiled over on the pitch.

Under the current regulations, Premier League teams are expected to maintain strict discipline, and Chelsea’s slightly higher fine is understood to reflect their recent disciplinary record. The Blues have frequently found themselves in the spotlight this season for a high volume of yellow cards.

Chelsea head coach Rosenior spoke to his players after the match regarding how to handle similar situations in the future, while an unnamed West Ham executive met with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo and captain Jarrod Bowen to discuss player conduct.

For Chelsea, currently sitting fifth in the table with 45 points, the focus now shifts back to their pursuit of a Champions League spot. Conversely, West Ham must find a way to channel their aggression back into their performances on the pitch; languishing in 18th place with 25 points, the Hammers are now desperately fighting to avoid relegation in the coming weeks.