The charge related to an incident in the 43rd minute of the 3-3 draw at Eastlands on March 31 when Sunderland players reacted angrily after referee Phil Dowd awarded a penalty following Craig Gardner's challenge on Edin Dzeko.
Mario Balotelli scored from the spot to bring the hosts level and later scored again as City recovered from 3-1 down to rescue a point.
Sunderland have until 4pm local time (1500GMT) on April 11 to respond to the charge.
Source: AFP
Source: AFP