The Magpies have been punished to the tune of £40,000 as it was their second incident of a similar nature this season, while the Black Cats will have to pay £20,000, the FA has confirmed.
Both clubs have also been warned as to their future conduct.
An FA statement read: "Newcastle United and Sunderland have been fined £40,000 and £20,000 respectively after both clubs admitted a charge of failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour.
"The incident, which also saw both teams being warned as to their future conduct, occurred in the 19th minute of their game on 4 March 2012 and followed a challenge by Sunderland’s James McClean on Newcastle’s Danny Simpson.
"As this is Newcastle United’s second misconduct charge of a similar nature in the same season, the standard punishment fine has been doubled in line with current regulations."
Simpson reacted angrily to McClean's challenge, sparking a melee in which every player apart from Black Cats keeper Simon Mignolet was involved to some degree.
