Newcastle have accepted a Football Association charge of failing to control their players during last weekend's derby defeat at Sunderland.

However, the Magpies have asked for their case to be re-assessed after submitting mitigation over the incident, which surrounded Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini's dismissal by referee Robert Madley in first half stoppage-time after he had a penalty awarded against him for a shoulder barge on Steven Fletcher.

"Newcastle United have admitted a charge of failing to control their players in last weekend's Tyne-Wear derby defeat at Sunderland," a club statement read.

"The charge relates to the players' reaction to the match official's decision, which saw Sunderland awarded a penalty and captain Fabricio Coloccini issued with a red card, which has since been rescinded.

"The club has admitted the charge, but has submitted an application for it to be re-assessed due to mitigating circumstances."

Coloccini was sent off for a challenge which came seconds after Madley had opted not to award his team a penalty against Lee Cattermole at the other end as the first half of the game at the Stadium of Light drew to a close.

The defender and several of his team-mates surrounded Madley to argue his case, but Coloccini's misery was compounded when the referee produced a red card.

Adam Johnson converted the resulting spot-kick and a game the Magpies had dominated turned on its head, with the Black Cats eventually running out 3-0 winners.

Coloccini appealed against the dismissal and was successful.