Chelsea

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

Chelsea have compiled a video dossier to form part of their defence against a Football Association charge of failing to control their players following the midfielder Michael Essien's dismissal at Derby last week, with the footage aimed at illustrating the inconsistency in the governing body's reaction to such incidents.

 

A clutch of Chelsea players, led by the England captain John Terry, had surrounded the referee Andre Marriner after Essien was sent off for raising an arm, with the FA confirming the charge last Tuesday. In response, Chelsea have collected incidents from a number of recent Premier League games, including Wigan's trip to Arsenal last weekend, where players have berated the officials only for no charges to be brought.

 

Chelsea were fined £30,000 and warned as to their future conduct after their players' furious reaction to Mikel Jon Obi's dismissal at Old Trafford in September. However, it is understood that footage from the same match of Manchester United players surrounding the referee Mike Dean and demanding he produce a card is included in the dossier to be presented to the FA ahead of the December 12 cut-off for an appeal.

 

 

The manager Avram Grant, who has complained Chelsea are being targeted after three players were sent off in his nine Premier League games in charge, insisted yesterday that his team were innocent at Pride Park. "I don't think my players did anything wrong," he said. "Derby's players were more fussed than my players, demanding the red card."

 

Then he went into Kaizer mode:

 

Despite comments from some quarters that he has only tinkered with the set-up inherited from Jose Mourinho, Grant added that he has had to change Chelsea's style because the counterattacking favoured by his predecessor is becoming outdated. "Three years ago one-third of the goals in the world were from counter-attacking and last year the figure was down to 20% and it will go down further," he said.

[Cunny]

Has anyone seen Kaizer and Avram Grant in the same room?

[Maldini]

I had a horrible dream last night that they beat us in the European Cup Final

[fyds]

Talking to someone the other day about this, his conclusion was that whereas no team was being picked on, some teams were being protected. Interesting angle I thought.

[floyd]

If the FA had any sense, when the to55ers come to plea Essien's defence, they should pop a tape in the Betamax of Essien's challenges he's got off lightly with. Didi and ironically Ben Haim, and tell them to f*** off.

Edited December 1, 2007 by floyd

[Rimbeux]

Simon Greenberg is an utter one. Scared s***less he'll end up here, would fit in if the last week is anything to go by.

 

The way they reacted in that game was a disgrace, in particular Terry who threw the ball in the general direction of the ref.. If that is doing nothing wrong, we are heading into a situation where anything short of striking the ref is acceptable.

[Ed the Wool]

I had a horrible dream last night that they beat us in the European Cup Final

 

I actually retched when I read that.

[Sion]

I had a horrible dream last night that they beat us in the European Cup Final

 

I had a dream we won it last year and Kuyt scored a hat-trick in the final, so I wouldn't read much into it.

[Falconhoof]

From today's match against West Ham:

 

1309: John Terry, what are you doing? Absolutely ridiculous behaviour from the England and Chelsea captain. Luis Boa Morte is a bit cheeky by having a little dig at Carlo Cudicini after the keeper almost spilled a through ball on the edge of his box. But Terry massively over-reacts and grabs Boa Morte by the throat, shoving him backwards. Totally needless and lucky to escape a booking.

[M4TTA]

more from the bbc:

 

1333: "The FA need to sort Chelsea out... it is disgusting how they continue to harass the ref."

MikeNeatPFC on 606

 

1328: Salomon Kalou is next in the book for another terrible attempt at a tackle, this time on Luis Boa Morte.

 

1325: Chelsea's players have got to stop chasing the referee, their behaviour is not befitting of one of England's premier clubs. Mikel Jon Obi can have few complaints about a booking for a shocking lunge on Scott Parker, it could have been red, yet the Blues players, led by Didier Drogba, follow referee Howard Webb for 30 yards before he ushers them away.

[Gunga Din]

a very simple solution.Chelsea players surround the ref, book them all. the mancs used to do this too a few years ago, but to be honest, they dont do it as much anymore. i'd be embarrassed if our players behaved like that.

[The Hitman]

Been doing it consistently throughout this game.Appalling.

[Sion]

They were told off for this last week. That must be 10+ times they've been given the charge 'failing to control their players' in the past few season and still not been docked points.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

a very simple solution.Chelsea players surround the ref, book them all. the mancs used to do this too a few years ago, but to be honest, they dont do it as much anymore. i'd be embarrassed if our players behaved like that.

exactly, but refs seem to be scared to do it. The whole thing is, move away from the place you made the decision, if any player follows you to remonstrate, then that's dissent in itself. Book every guilty party. It'll inevitably lead to sendings off, but the FA would back you

[Walrus]

Mikel should have been off.

[M4TTA]

 

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

wonder if the press or MOTD will make something of it?

[Guz]

Has there been a title winning side recently that hasn't been full of horrible snidy c****? I'm not condoning it, just wondering if the actions talked about in this thread are a manifestation of the sheer arrogance and self belief running through top, title winning, players..

[Benitez]

Chelsea and Arsenal are the worst teams at doing the surrounding the ref thing. Both teams are full of indisciplined g*******s. They need to start booking all the players who do it, they'd soon have to send a load of 'em off, it may sink in then.

[aka Dus]

Fact is that Fifa are making a bollix of it. Changing the dissent laws to make it ok for players to swear etc "because it's part of society" etc etc

 

Rugby is a gimpnest of a sport but they do one thing right. Any footballer who so much as speaks to a ref crooked should be in the book, end of story.

[dorgie]

Their moaning to the officials has paid off again today. Joe Cole was marginally offside, but the assistant keeps his flag down. In fear of being surrounded by Chelsea players perhaps.

[Guz]

Their moaning to the officials has paid off again today.

 

Or maybe they're just incompetent and unable to get every decision correct?