Soccer

Chelsea charged over player behaviour

The FA has charged Chelsea with failing to control their players during their defeat at Manchester United

Thu Sept 27 2007 - 01:00

The FA has charged Chelsea with failing to control their players during their defeat at Manchester United.  Referee Mike Dean reported the club after at least four players surrounded him after he sent off Mikel John Obi.

Chelsea captain John Terry appeared to try and grab Dean's red card but the England defender has not been charged individually.

The club's assistant coach Steve Clarke has been charged, however, after clashing with match officials in the tunnel following the 2-0 defeat.

An  FA statement read: "Charges have been issued against Chelsea FC and the club's assistant coach Steve Clarke.

READ MORE

"Chelsea have been charged with failing to control their players during their match against Manchester United on September 23rd. This charge relates to the conduct of Chelsea players towards referee Mike Dean following the sending-off of Mikel John Obi.

"Steve Clarke has been charged with using abusive and/or insulting words towards the match officials after the end of the match at Old Trafford.

"Chelsea and Clarke have until October 12th to respond to the charges."

On Tuesday, Mikel lost an appeal against his sending off, which was a straight red card after a challenge on United full-back Patrice Evra. He missed the victory at Hull and will be suspended for two more games.

Guus Hiddink, meanwhile, claims Roman Abramovich has asked him to take over as Chelsea coach.

Just a day after the club were forced to issue a statement insisting no one had been offered the job to replace Jose Mourinho, Russia coach Hiddink revealed Chelsea owner Abramovich asked him if he wanted to return to club management.

Marco van Basten and Jurgen Kilnsmann have been linked with the job which Avram Grant currently holds, but, quoted in the Daily Express, Hiddink said: "Abramovich asked me 'What do you want?'.

"I told him that right now I want to do nothing else except concentrate on Russia.  I want to see this through now and then see what happens."

Hiddink could potentially be available in November when Russia's Euro 2008 campaign comes to an end, but with the side looking good for qualification, Abramovich, who pays half Hiddink's £1.2million-a-year wages, may have to wait until after next summer's finals before making any potential move.  PA