KARL Robinson will watch today's game from the stands as he begins a four-match touchline ban.

The Oxford United head coach has also been hit with a £4,500 fine for his part in the flare-ups at Sunderland on Good Friday.

Robinson attended an FA hearing over Zoom on Wednesday afternoon after he received a second charge following his role in the fiery fixture at the Stadium of Light, which the U's lost 3-1.

Players and staff clashed in the tunnel at half-time and full-time, with the United boss claiming goalkeeper Jack Stevens was headbutted during the interval.

The FA last month charged the U’s boss and Sunderland assistant manager Jamie McAllister with alleged ‘improper and/or violent conduct’ in the tunnel area at full-time and half-time respectively.

Robinson suggested the punishment for the Sunderland man was harsher, but whatever happens he will not be in the dugouts for United's crucial clash with Burton Albion today.

The U's boss said: “Theirs was touchline and stadium as well, so that resonated with the severity of the incident.

“This is the only time with no fans that you still get your message across.

“It’s something we always knew was coming, I’ve got no remorse for what I’ve done.

"I’ve got a duty of care to stand up for anyone who wears our badge, it’s how I’ve been brought up.

“The panel were quite fair, they were quite clear with the situation with the video footage. I think the FA showed me a bit of respect.”

Both clubs were also charged with a breach of FA Rule E20 for allegedly failing to ensure that their ‘players and/or club officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour in or around the tunnel at half-time and full-time’.

United confirmed they had also been fined.

Robinson's ban would cover United's play-off campaign if they reached the final.

Robinson has already received a £1,000 fine and one-match touchline ban, served at Crewe Alexandra on April 10, for his red card in the 81st minute of the fixture.

In a full statement on United's website, he added: “I’m proud of my players and will always back them, as will all of the staff.

"What happened at Sunderland should never have got to that stage.

"I wanted the police called because of an incident at half time, not of our making, that sparked what happened later.

"Had that happened then events after the final whistle would have been very different.

“I won’t apologise for the staff and players caring and looking after each other but in a very long season it was just one fleeting moment where the passion we all have for this club spilled over.

“As far as we are concerned the incident is now closed. We move on and we prepare for today’s game in or usual calm, professional manner.”