Ross McCrorie handed suspension ahead of Bristol City's FA Cup clash after Millwall melee | Bristol Live

Ross McCrorie was charged by the FA after Bristol City and Millwall players and staff came together on the Ashton Gate touchline

Ross McCrorie has been handed a three-match suspension by the FA ahead of the start of Bristol City's FA Cup campaign against Watford, after the defender admitted to breaching FA Rule E1.1 in the moments following the Robins' December defeat to Millwall.

Gerhard Struber's side were beaten 1-0 by the Lions last month at Ashton Gate. In a tight game, Mihailo Ivanovic's second-half strike proved to be enough for Alex Neil's side to secure all three points in south Bristol and saw the Reds suffer the first of what proved to be three consecutive defeats.

Ivanovic scored what proved to be the winner moments before the hour mark, finishing from close range after Radek Vitek had twice done well to deny Femi Azeez. While that forward's strike ultimately proved to be the only goal in the contest, the majority of the drama came later in the game.

City thought they had secured a point when, deep in stoppage time, Zak Vyner powered home following a McCrorie header. However, before celebrations could begin both on the pitch and in the stands, the flag was raised with the Scotsman adjudged to have drifted into an offside position.

With the frustration of such a contentious decision fresh in the memory, tensions bubbled over after the final whistle, with members of both benches and players from both teams quickly engaged in a brawl between the dugouts moments after full-time.

What exactly caused the melee remains unclear, with Millwall boss Neil suggesting Struber refused to shake his hand, while the Robins head coach recalls the opposite occurring.

Regardless of what was behind the coming together, the FA confirmed in mid-December that both clubs had been charged with allegedly failing to ensure their players and staff did not behave in an improper, provocative, or violent way after the full-time whistle.

On top of the collective charge, it was alleged that Joe Williams had 'acted in an improper manner and/or used violent conduct following the final whistle,' whilst McCrorie and Harry Cornick were charged with a breach of FA Rule E1.1. Both players' behaviour wasn't seen by the officials but was caught on video and allegedly constitutes violent conduct.

Cornick admitted his charge and served his three-game ban over the festive period, while City, Williams, and McCrorie had until January 5 to respond. Now, with that deadline passed, McCrorie's punishment has been confirmed.

Shared via X on Friday afternoon, an official FA statement read: 'Bristol City's Ross McCrorie has been suspended following their EFL Championship fixture against Millwall on Saturday 6 December 2025.

'The player's behaviour after the final whistle wasn't seen by the match officials, but was caught on video and The FA alleged that it constitutes violent conduct.

'Ross McCrorie is subsequently admitted the charge against him and accepted the standard three-match suspension.'

As a result of his ban, McCrorie, who has started each of the Robins' last seven games, will be forced to sit out City's FA Cup third round tie with Watford this Saturday. The Scotland international will also be suspended for next weekend's trip to the Kassam Stadium to face Oxford and the following Tuesday's meeting with Ipswich Town at Portman Road.