Reading team-mates Paul McShane and Danny Williams have been charged with violent conduct by the English Football Association following their on-field altercation on Tuesday night.

The pair confronted each other towards the end of the 2-1 Championship loss at home to Middlesbrough.

A statement from the FA read: “Paul McShane and Danny Williams have both been charged by The FA following an on-field incident which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video.

“It is alleged the two Reading players’ behaviour in or around the 83rd minute of the game against Middlesbrough on April 12, 2016 constituted violent conduct.

“The matter was referred to a panel of three former elite referees who each reviewed the video footage independently of one another to determine whether they considered it a sending-off offence.

“For an FA charge to follow the decision by the panel must be unanimous.

“Both players have until 6pm on 15 April 2016 to respond to their charge.”

Royals manager Brian McDermott addressed the issue on Wednesday, saying: “It happened in the heat of the moment, during an extremely tight game against a very good Middlesbrough side, but I have reminded both players of their responsibilities to both the club and its supporters.”

McShane said: “It was done and dusted in two seconds. It was a two-second thing that spilt over, then we got back in position and got on with the game. That was the end of it.

“I love Danny, I love his passion and it was just one of those things that happened for two seconds.

“It was put to bed at the end of the game. We were talking after the match, we said sorry to each other and that was it.”