Mark Robins expects Stoke to be fined for their part in mass brawl against Hull

Mark Robins is expecting a mass brawl at the end of Stoke’s 2-1 defeat at home to Hull to result in fines for both clubs.

The Potters boss also accused a member of the Tigers’ management team of inflaming the ugly scenes following Hull’s comeback win courtesy of Joe Gelhardt’s last-gasp winner.

Robins absolved his own players of blame, though several objects appeared to be thrown by home fans angered by visiting players celebrating in front of them.

It was an unsavoury conclusion to a controversial game sparked by Sorba Thomas’s first-half wonder goal and a contentious Semi Ajayi equaliser after 47 minutes.

“I spoke to the referee (Leigh Doughty) who said one of their players had incited the crowd by celebrating in front of them,” explained Robins. “The crowd has then got up.

“Ash (Phillips) got involved somehow, which is what happens in incendiary situations having just lost with emotions high.

“It then starts to calm down before one of their management team gets involved, says something, then it all lights again.

“It’s nothing to do with my players, but on the back of it we will get fined, which is an absolute joke.”

Stoke’s defeat was their third in four games and Robins added: “We want Premier League football and as soon as we possibly can do.

“But you can’t have it if you are not ready for it. I think we are better than that.

“But if they are content to be a mid-table team then they are not going to last long. I’m that frustrated because this is a huge opportunity.”

Referee Doughty booked five players in stoppage time following the after-match scenes, but Hull chief Sergej Jakirovic played down the incident.

“I don’t know what happened because I spoke with the Stoke City gaffer,” he said.

“We tried to split the players, but for me this is part of football. I think it is normal you celebrate a victory but I understand the fans and Stoke City players are angry because they lost the game, especially after the first half.

“This is not for the public,” he said of his half-time team-talk. “It must stay in the dressing room.

“But it was a nice chat. I was not angry, but if we continued to play like that we could go home immediately.

“I just prayed we went in at half-time just 1-0 down because we didn’t control anything. They were much better than us, so we agreed we needed to be on the front foot and have more pressure.

“The equalising goal was a big boost for us. And then the game was 50-50.”