LONDON: Manchester United defender Patrice Evra was charged Friday with improper conduct by the English Football Association over a post-match brawl at Chelsea in April.

The France international could be fined or banned, but no date has been set for the hearing.

While United center back Rio Ferdinand was not charged, he has been "reminded of his responsibilities" after kicking at a wall in frustration in the tunnel and instead hitting a female steward.

Ferdinand, who is hoping to be chosen England captain by Fabio Capello, apologized at the time of the incident, which followed a 2-1 loss to Chelsea.

At least six United players were involved in the clashes with Chelsea stewards and groundsmen at Stamford Bridge.
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Photographs showed groundsman Sam Bethell raising a fist toward Evra while being held back by two Chelsea staff members.

Bethell was charged with improper conduct and using abusive language aggravated by reference to nationality or race.

"The charges are the result of a thorough investigation conducted by the FA over the past three months," the association said in a statement. "In bringing the charges, the FA used video evidence, CCTV footage and various witness statements from individuals present."

Evra, Gary Neville, Park Ji-sung, Danny Wellbeck, John O'Shea and Paul Scholes — who all did not play in the match — were running on the field in a warm-down about 30 minutes after the final whistle when the trouble broke out.

The scuffles came as the Chelsea ground staff were cutting the grass.

The United players were reportedly asked not to run across the field and to jog in the same direction as the lawnmowers.

[International Herald Tribune]

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