Darlington and Newcastle United football clubs have escaped punishment after violence flared at a pre-season friendly.

The Football Association (FA) has decided not to take any sanctions against either club as a result of clashes between fans at the game nearly four months ago.

Immediately following the incident, at The Northern Echo Arena on July 15, the FA launched an investigation and asked the Quakers to compile a dossier of evidence.

Both clubs made written representations to the FA, which also consulted with its own crowd safety liaison officer.

The inquiry also noted an ongoing police investigation, which led to a number of people appearing in court, and, as a result, came to the decision that neither club should face any punishment.

Violence erupted when hundreds of supporters ran onto the pitch after Sammy Ameobi scored Newcastle’s second goal in a 2-0 victory.

Newcastle’s supporters had been chanting: “If Sammy scores we’re on the pitch.”

When he did, hundreds of fans streamed onto the pitch, where they remained for five minutes.

There were violent scenes, including a number of scuffles between both sets of fans.

Supporters from both clubs later condemned the hooligans, but there was also criticism of the number of stewards on duty and their response to the trouble.

Despite the trouble, Darlington FC declared the night a great success, while Newcastle United called it a night of great shame and promised the club would take the strongest possible action.

The Magpies also introduced a new ticketing scheme which meant non-season ticket holders and non-members would not be able to buy tickets for away games.

A Darlington FC spokesman declined to make any further comment yesterday, other than to say the club noted the investigation’s findings.

He added that they had the maximum number of stewards available that night and also confirmed that police numbers were increased for subsequent friendlies with other North-East rivals Middlesbrough and Sunderland.

Newcastle United reiterated the club’s tough stance following the trouble, which included helping the police.

Durham and Northumbria police forces mounted their own investigations, inspected video footage and issued stills of some of those they believed were responsible.

Several arrests were made as part of the investigation, with many of those charged and brought before the courts.

Most of those have been given football banning orders, preventing them from attending games for a set period.

Other sentences included fines and court orders