Manchester United 'v' Chelsea In A Disciplinary Hearing This Time

Today is the day the FA have a lot of pressure on them. They will be holding a hearing into the 'Battle of Stamford Bridge' from last year. After the game, which United lost 2-1, there was a twenty man brawl involving Patrice Evra and a number of other players and the Chelsea groundstaff.

Evra was charged with improper conduct after his part in the melee.

Chelsea groundsman Sam Bethell was accused by at least one member of the United group of using racist language towards Evra, though the player has never claimed he heard that. It has been said that United Assistant Manager Mike Phelan is the one to make these accusations.

Bethell has not been charged because of a technicality, but Chelsea have been charged with failing to ensure the proper conduct of their employee, and failing to inform him in his contract that he was subject to the FA's rules and regulations.

The hearing should last for two days. If anyone is found guilty of racism in any form no matter how small, then the FA really do need to come down like a ton of bricks on the offender. Not just some petty £10,000 fine like they gave Sir Alex earlier this season for his misconduct charge. I reported back then that I thought his punishment was pathetic. The FA need to realise these 'small' sums of cash mean nothing to any footballer or manager and even less to a club as a whole.....Back To Home Page...