English FA Premiership: Chelsea will be charged with failing to control their players for the second time in a fortnight after the referee of their game at Fulham on Sunday complained of being harassed. The club could face a fine of up to £750,000 after similar scenes at West Brom on March 4th.
It is understood referee Mike Dean has highlighted in his report to the FA Chelsea players' behaviour after the dismissal of William Gallas at Craven Cottage. Dean sent off the Chelsea defender after he appeared to stamp on the Fulham striker Heidar Helguson as Chelsea headed for a 1-0 defeat.
Several Chelsea players remonstrated with the referee. When Mark Halsey was similarly surrounded during Chelsea's 2-1 win at West Bromwich two weeks previously, Chelsea received a charge for which they are awaiting a verdict.
Theoretically, the fine for a first such offence can reach £250,000, though the FA were not minded to deal so severely with the incident at The Hawthorns. It was considered an aberration for a Chelsea side that had a previously impressive disciplinary record.
The latest episode is likely to be regarded more sternly. FA rules permit a £750,000 fine and the deduction of two Premiership points in the event of two identical offences in the same season, though the latter is considered unlikely.
Sources have confirmed that Fulham should also expect charges for their mass protest after Didier Drogba handled the ball on his way to putting the ball into the home side's net. The "goal" was disallowed after Fulham players crowded the referee.
In addition to the charge over their players, Chelsea are set to lose Gallas for an additional match for his thumbs-down gesture at the home crowd following his dismissal for violent conduct, which itself carries a three-match ban.
Helguson is also being investigated for allegedly throwing a punch at the France international. If found guilty, the Icelandic striker will receive a charge for violent conduct, for which there is a three-match tariff.
The post-match comments of Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho have also attracted scrutiny, although his club would argue that he was merely offering his opinion - something he is obliged to do under Premier League contracts with the broadcaster Sky.
The FA have also launched an investigation into the pitch invasion that followed the match, which resulted in clashes between fans. The organisation's chief executive, Brian Barwick, issued a strong statement yesterday, in which he referred to those who encroached on to the pitch as "mindless".
"We will be launching a full investigation - with immediate effect - working closely with the police, clubs and media," he said.
The FA have written to Chelsea and Fulham to request their observations and both have pledged to cooperate fully. The host club has launched its own inquiry, calling on the services of a Uefa delegate to identify the fans who ran on to the pitch, which is a criminal offence.
Fulham expressed dismay at the events that followed their first west London derby win in 27 years.
"Fulham practises a zero-tolerance policy regarding any type of anti-social behaviour and shall take the appropriate action," it said. "They will be banned from the club for life."
