Chelsea Football Club News

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

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Chelsea admit FA charge

12 Dec 2007 - 14:44:51

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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."