Chelsea to defend FA charge
Chelsea will defend themselves tomorrow against the Football Association’s charge that they failed to control their players at West Brom.
The Barclays Premiership champions will win the title again if they get a point against Manchester United on Saturday but tomorrow their lawyers will be fighting in front of a four-man disciplinary panel at FA headquarters in London.
The Blues were charged following the behaviour of their players during a 2-1 win at West Brom on March 4.
The incident under scrutiny happened after a foul by Albion’s Ronnie Wallwork on Claude Makelele, when Chelsea players surrounded referee Mark Halsey.
At the time the charge was issued, an FA spokesman said: “Chelsea have been charged with failing to ensure that their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion.
“The charge relates to an incident in the 43rd minute of Chelsea’s game against West Bromwich Albion when several Chelsea players surrounded referee Mark Halsey following a foul by West Brom’s Ronnie Wallwork.
“Halsey reported the incident to The FA and expressed his view that a number of Chelsea players pressurised him at this time.”
Chelsea have vowed to “defend the charge vigorously”.
The maximum punishment for this type of offence is £250,000 but the FA are understood not to view this particular case near the top of the scale in terms of severity.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and West Brom boss Bryan Robson clashed on the touchline during the game.
The FA wrote the two managers after the game to remind them of their responsibilities.
Chelsea face a similar charge of failing to control their players from a game against Fulham on March 19. This case will be heard separately but a date has not been fixed.
