Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur charged by The FA for failing to control their players
After the 2-2 draw between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night saw one altercation too many, both clubs were charged by the Football Association for failing to control their players. Tottenham, who were looking to pursue Premier League leaders Leicester City, had taken a 2-0 lead before two second-half goals from the Blues saw their title challenge end.
The two London clubs were charged for ‘three breaches of FA Rule E20’ after the club failed to control players and/or club officials. Three separate incidents during the game and after the full-time whistle were looked into before the FA made the announcement on its official website.
The three incidents happened in the 45th minute, the 87th minute and after the game. The first incident saw Spurs’ full-back Danny Rose and Chelsea winger Willian squaring up to each other after a foul and Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino quickly stepped on to the pitch to separate the pair.
The 87th minute saw Eric Dier get booked for a mistimed tackle on Eden Hazard and the tackle saw players having a go at each other again. Soon after the final whistle, the touchline near the two dugouts saw players from both sides having to be separated by officials.
According to the FA, both clubs have until 6 PM on 9 May to respond to their charge.
Watch: Guus Hiddink knocked down after Chelsea-Tottenham Hotspur match
Dembele charged with violent conduct
Spurs midfielder Mousa Dembele was also charged for an 'alleged act of violent conduct'. Dembele was seen looking to gouge Diego Costa's eye when the two squared up.
The incident was not picked up by match officials at the time but the video replays will be taken as evidence which will be looked into by a panel of three former elite referees.
The FA’s statement said: “It is alleged the player’s behaviour constituted violent conduct in circumstances where the standard punishment of three matches that would otherwise apply is clearly insufficient.
“The player has until 6pm on Thursday 5 May 2016 to respond to the charge.”
All members of the panel will review the video evidence independently before they decide on whether it was worthy of a sending-off. Only if the decision is unanimous will the FA take retrospective action.
If found guilty, he could face a ban of more than three games, just as former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez did when he bit Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic on the arm.