Chelsea admit FA charge
12 Dec 2007 - 14:44:51
Chelsea have admitted an FA charge of failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during their 2-0 victory at Derby County.
Several Blues players surrounded referee Andre Marriner after he issued a last-minute red card to Michael Essien for slapping Rams striker Kenny Miller in the face.
A brief statement from the Football Association read: "Chelsea FC have admitted a charge relating to the behaviour of their players towards referee Andre Marriner during a match against Derby County last month.
"The club was charged with failing to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion following the sending-off of Michael Essien for violent conduct."
Blues head coach Avram Grant had slammed Marriner's decision to dismiss Essien, saying after the Pride Park clash: "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."