Chelsea face double charge by UEFA

UEFA yesterday confirmed Chelsea face a double disciplinary charge after their controversial Champions League clash against Barcelona in the Nou Camp stadium last week.

Chelsea are in the process of making a formal report to the European governing body about Barca coach Frank Rijkaard's half-time discussion with Swedish referee Anders Frisk, but in the meantime UEFA have begun disciplinary proceedings against the Premiership leaders on two fronts.

UEFA were unhappy with the team's late arrival onto the pitch for the second half and with manager Jose Mourinho's decision not to attend the compulsory post-match press conference.

A UEFA spokesman confirmed: "We have started a disciplinary case against Chelsea for the late arrival on to the pitch from the dressing room for the second half and the non-appearance of the coach at the post-match media conference.

"We have notified the club that the matter will be dealt with on March 24 and they can submit a statement to us."

UEFA will make use of all the available evidence before deciding whether or not to punish the Carling Cup winners, who lost 2-1 in the first leg. This will include Frisk's report of the game, video evidence, UEFA's delegate report as well as any statements provided by the club or players.

The disciplinary action is a further blow to Chelsea's already-tarnished reputation off the pitch. The club have denied an FA charge of failing to control their fans when violence erupted in their Carling Cup tie with West Ham earlier this season. They have also rejected a further FA charge of failing to control their players during a Premiership game against Blackburn at Ewood Park.

Mourinho is also facing an FA misconduct charge after labelling Manchester United's players as cheats on Chelsea's TV channel just days after their Carling Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge.

The club continues to be under investigation by the Premier League for its alleged 'tapping-up' scandal involving Arsenal and England left-back Ashley Cole at a London hotel.

Now they are facing a double charge from UEFA where the likely punishment for being found guilty in both cases is a hefty fine.

Meanwhile, it has been revealed today that Arjen Robben has received treatment from AC Milan's club doctor following the intervention of the club's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.

The Russian asked Milan's vice-chairman Adriano Galliano for the help of the club's medical co-ordinator Dr Jean-Pierre Meersseman in a bid to boost the Dutchman's fitness.

Meersseman is understood to have made several muscle corrections in Robben's broken left foot and went on to reveal the extraordinarily hands-on approach that Abramovich takes at Chelsea.

Meersseman said: "Abramovich asked Galliani if I could treat Robben and I suppose he said 'yes' because I came to London.

"They are very good friends and Galliani was happy to help. There has been a great relationship between Chelsea and AC Milan for the last couple of years and we were happy to help. Abramovich knows Galliani well and the Russians are on good terms with our prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi."

Robben has given himself only a 10% chance of being fit in time for the return leg of their Champions League tie with Barcelona next week.

However, Chelsea were given a further boost ahead of that crucial game when Barcelona winger Ludovic Giuly was ruled out through injury.