Chelsea will defend themselves over the FA charges over the conduct of their players, the club's Website said on Thursday.

"Chelsea Football Club will be strongly defending the two charges issued by the Football Association today and will be considering that defence until we have to respond on October 12," the club said in a statement.

 

The English FA has charged Chelsea with failing to control their players during Sunday's 2-0 Premier League defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford.

 

The FA said in a statement on Thursday that the charges related to the conduct of the players towards referee Mike Dean following the red card shown to midfielder John Obi Mikel after 32 minutes for his lunge on United defender Patrice Evra.

 

In the statement the FA also named Chelsea assistant coach Steve Clarke and charged him with insulting words towards the match officials after the end of the match.

 

On Tuesday, Mikel lost an appeal against the sending off, and did not play in Wednesday's 4-0 League Cup victory at Championship side Hull City. He will be suspended for two more matches.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 28, 2007)