Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Blues fined for Rams furore

17 Jan 2008 - 13:51:30

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Chelsea have been handed a fine of £40,000 by the Football Association in relation to the behaviour of their players during their clash with Derby County in late November.

Blues players surrounded referee Andre Marriner following the sending-off of Michael Essien late on in their 2-0 win at Pride Park.

Midfielder Essien was shown a straight red card for aiming a swinging arm at Rams striker Kenny Miller and subsequently served a three-match suspension.

Blues head coach Avram Grant had said shortly after the game: "I think the hand is on the whistle too easily against us.

"All the red cards are too easy, they are not red cards. I saw what happened with Michael Essien. There are no pockets, so what can he do with his hands? He didn't do anything wrong and it wasn't a red card.

"My players were not happy with Essien's red card and I wasn't happy. It was an unfair decision. We are an easy target."