Chelsea to discover their fate today

CHELSEA will robustly deny disrepute charges brought by UEFA against the club and officials at a disciplinary hearing today - but even if found guilty they will almost certainly escape the severest possible punishment of expulsion from the Champions League.

The club, manager Jose Mourinho, his assistant Steve Clarke and security official Les Miles have all been charged with bringing the game into disrepute - allegedly for making “false, wrong and unfounded” claims that Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard spoke with referee Anders Frisk in the match official’s dressing room at half-time in the Nou Camp last month.

Chelsea will not send any representatives to the disciplinary hearing in Nyon, Switzerland, but they have had lawyers working on a written defence strongly rebutting UEFA’s claims.