Bizarre pitch fracas follows Chelsea match

[chelsea91]

Chelsea ground staff and Manchester United players were involved in a bizarre fracas on the pitch in an almost deserted Stamford Bridge stadium after Saturday's Premier League match between the two teams.

None of the United players who played in the match were involved but players Patrice Evra, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Gerard Pique and John O'Shea were all warming down when an argument began with the ground staff tending the pitch.


Stewards quickly moved in to separate those involved but after the situation quietened down the row flared up again, although no punches were thrown.

The incident came a few minutes after Chelsea beat Manchester United 2-1 to pull level with United at the top of the table.

[Hawkesy]

If none of them played then why did they need to warm down. It's not chelsea's responsibility to provide training facilities for man u reserves.

My money is on chelsea's groundstaff wanting to finish their job and go home and man u players being all bertie big bollocks.

I'd have turned the lights off, and gone and had a cup of tea with the comment of train in the bottle of shiraz dark then.

[ozzie owl]

I thought the general behaviour of the players towards the match officials was appalling. I know it waa crucial game, but almost every decision was followed by groups of players ganging up on them. Over the game thought United's behaviour was the worst, constantly going in groups to the referee arguing and abusing. As an ex-ref I thought the referee cut the players too much slack.

The message has to go get out this behaviour has to be stamped out, the answer issue some cards early in the game.

[Hawkesy]

I thought the general behaviour of the players towards the match officials was appalling. I know it waa crucial game, but almost every decision was followed by groups of players ganging up on them. Over the game thought United's behaviour was the worst, constantly going in groups to the referee arguing and abusing. As an ex-ref I thought the referee cut the players too much slack.

The message has to go get out this behaviour has to be stamped out, the answer issue some cards early in the game.

In the first half they were OK, then the second half i think it all became too much for them. Terry pulled a few of his players away from doing it and then 2 minutes later man u were doing it then 10 minutes after that, they surround the linesman.

The FA needs to do something about all of this, this was a showpiece game watched by millions in England, and even more round the world. Kids see this in probably the biggest game of the year and think it's acceptable.

[Le King]

I thought the general behaviour of the players towards the match officials was appalling. I know it waa crucial game, but almost every decision was followed by groups of players ganging up on them. Over the game thought United's behaviour was the worst, constantly going in groups to the referee arguing and abusing. As an ex-ref I thought the referee cut the players too much slack.

The message has to go get out this behaviour has to be stamped out, the answer issue some cards early in the game.

its the refs fault that players go up 2 him and argue.... they should look at the mascherano incident.... the ref should get the most respect on the pitch, and if he doesnt like sumfin thats sed 2 him then give out a yellow card, and that will stop the rest of them havin a go

[pires7]

I thought the general behaviour of the players towards the match officials was appalling. I know it waa crucial game, but almost every decision was followed by groups of players ganging up on them. Over the game thought United's behaviour was the worst, constantly going in groups to the referee arguing and abusing. As an ex-ref I thought the referee cut the players too much slack.

The message has to go get out this behaviour has to be stamped out, the answer issue some cards early in the game.

its the refs fault that players go up 2 him and argue.... they should look at the mascherano incident.... the ref should get the most respect on the pitch, and if he doesnt like sumfin thats sed 2 him then give out a yellow card, and that will stop the rest of them havin a go

if he did that MamU would have ended the game with 8 on the pitch!

[Updachels]

Suspensions or fines to follow?