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Saturday, July 19, 2008
Evra and Chelsea groundsman charged over clash at Bridge
The Manchester United defender Patrice Evra and Chelsea groundsman Sam Bethell have been charged by the Football Association after an exhaustive inquiry into events at Stamford Bridge immediately after United's defeat by the home side in April.
Chelsea won the game thanks to a disputed late Michael Ballack penalty and Evra and Bethell were involved in a heated exchange during United's warm-down. The pair had to be separated by stewards and United later hinted that Evra reacted after suffering a racist taunt, something Chelsea have strenuously denied.
Evra and Bethell have both been charged with improper conduct and the groundsman has also been accused of using "abusive language aggravated by reference to nationality/race". If found guilty, the punishments for Evra range from a fine to a ban.
The FA has taken witness statements during its investigation into the incident, which occurred when Sir Alex Ferguson's unused players were taking part in the routine post-match warm-down and objected to groundstaff and other officials asking them to leave the pitch.
"The charges are the result of a thorough investigation conducted by the FA over the last three months," read statement from the governing body. "In bringing the charges the FA used video evidence, CCTV footage and various witness statements from individuals present."
Chelsea responded by saying that the club "believes there is no foundation whatsoever to the claims that the incident which occurred after the Manchester United match on April 26 involved comments based on nationality or race".
Its statement added: "Chelsea FC condemns all forms of discrimination in football and society. Such allegations against our club are extremely serious and Chelsea will not be making any further comment until we have assessed all the implications of the charge."
No date has been set for the hearing and a United spokesman said: "As it is an ongoing investigation the club will not be making any comment at this time."
Rio Ferdinand has escaped sanction for his behaviour at Stamford Bridge, although the United defender has been warned about his future conduct after accidentally striking a member of the Chelsea staff with a door he kicked in anger as he made his way off the field. Ferdinand has since apologised and sent the female employee flowers.
Gary Neville, whose injury problems last season led to Ferdinand regularly captaining the team, is expected to continue on his road back to full fitness this afternoon when Ferguson's team face Kaizer Chiefs in Cape Town.
The 33-year-old was restricted to only one brief substitute appearance in the first team last season due to a succession of ankle and calf problems that continue to place a question mark over the former England defender's future.
A 45-minute appearance against Aberdeen at Pittodrie last Saturday marked Neville's first senior start since March 2007 and he is keen to underline his fitness by performing well during the three-game tour of South Africa.
"The game against Aberdeen was the first rung on the ladder for me, the first time I had performed for the first team in something like 16 months," he said. "I'd imagine that it will be a much more difficult game on Saturday but it's one that I will be looking forward to and be excited about because last season was so frustrating for me. Not to be part of such a great season for the club was tough but I really want to get a good pre-season this time around and these games can only bring on my fitness and sharpness and hopefully enable me to be involved in another successful season."
United travel to Durban to face Orlando Pirates on Tuesday before meeting, in Pretoria next Saturday, the winners of a play-off between the Pirates and Chiefs.
With South Africa hosting the 2010 World Cup, Ferguson believes that the presence of the Premier League champions in the Vodacom Challenge will be crucial to preparations for that tournament.
"It's a great platform for South Africa with the World Cup coming up in two years' time and that's part of the reason that we were keen to come out here," the manager said. "South African football is progressing, but only by teams like Manchester United coming out here does it give the platform and recognition to the players from the country."
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