Chelsea face charge for delaying Barca match

UEFA today confirmed Chelsea are facing a double disciplinary charge following 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.

European football’s governing were unhappy with the team’s late arrival onto the pitch for the second half of the game 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 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. This will include Frisk’s own report of the game, video evidence, UEFA’s own delegate report as well as any statements provided by the club or their players.