Chris Wilder says that when Bristol Rovers and Oxford United players were involved in their minor melee a fortnight ago, referee James Linington handled the situation brilliantly.

But the U’s manager says he is “absolutely amazed” at the charge handed out to both sides for the incident, which started when United’s Rob Hall fouled Stuart Campbell.

Both clubs have been fined £1,000 after pleading guilty to failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour.

United wanted to appeal, but reluctantly accepted that there was just no point.

And Wilder says that it sets a huge precedent.

“Let’s just go through the facts of what happened,” he said.

“Robbie’s gone in and it’s a poor challenge. The reaction of their players wasn’t great and the reaction of their bench wasn’t great.

“It’s a 17-year-old lad and two of our boys walk into the situation, and don’t throw punches or push anybody.

“I think anyone would have been astounded that has been deemed a charge.

“It takes away the whole ethic of a sport. You go in it to win and play in a team environment.”

Wilder was fullsome in his praise of Linington, who dealt with the incident efficiently.

“I thought the referee handled the situation briliantly,” Wilder said.

“It was definitely a yellow card for Robbie, but there were no yellow cards for anybody else, nobody sent to the stand from the benches – it was done and dusted in 15 seconds.

“I am absolutely amazed there is a charge going on.

“The letter of the law is that if more than two people come over to a situation and you’re on a charge. Two of ours came over, and we’re on a charge.”

Wilder went on to say that the club wanted to appeal, it soon became obvious that there was just no point.

“We would loved to have contested it,” he said.

“But the chairman hit the nail on the head in the week, with what he said – it would just be a waste of time and a waste of money.

“The law needs to get looked at again – I understand that if there is a huge melee then you need to look at it and do something, and yes, that does happen because it’s an emotive sport.

“But if my players think that a 17-year-old lad, their teammate, is being manhandled or bullied, then I would be very disappointed with my players if they didn’t get go over and see what the situation was. It’s a physical sport.

“You have a look over this weekend at every match that’s played in the Premiership, the Championship and below and I bet that sort of thing happens a dozen times and I bet there’s no charges.”