Chelsea have been charged by The FA for breaching FA Rules in relation to the conduct of groundsman Sam Bethell.
Chelsea face rap over groundsman row
Chelsea have been charged by The Football Association for breaching FA Rules in relation to the conduct of groundsman Sam Bethell.
The FA had originally charged Bethell himself over incidents involving Patrice Evra following Chelsea's game against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge towards the end of last season.
But the charges were dismissed as it was ruled at a preliminary hearing that the association did not have jurisdiction over him due to Chelsea's failure to inform him that he was liable.
As a result, Chelsea have now been charged for failing to notify Bethell that he was subject to The FA rules and regulations in his contract.
A FA statement read: "Firstly, the club has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E.20(a) for failing to ensure that Bethell conducted himself in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from any one or a combination of racist and/or abusive and/or provocative conduct and/or language.
"The charge arises out of a disciplinary case against Sam Bethell himself, who was charged with improper conduct in relation to an altercation with Manchester United defender Patrice Evra at Stamford Bridge on 26 April. He was also charged with using abusive language aggravated by reference to nationality/race.
"At a preliminary hearing into the case on Monday this week, an independent Regulatory Commission ruled that The FA did not have disciplinary jurisdiction over Bethell, as his employers Chelsea FC had failed to notify him that he was subject to The FA's rules and regulations.
"The charges against Bethell were therefore dismissed, and Chelsea have consequently been charged for their failure to include the required provisions in his employment contract.
"FA Rule C.1(c)(iii) stipulates that all contracts of employment 'between a Club and any Club Official, Player or any other employee of the Club' must specify that 'the individual is directly under the disciplinary control of the Club and of the [Football] Association'.
"The club has until September 25 to respond to the charges."
Evra, who has denied his charge of improper conduct, is due to have a personal hearing on 2nd October.
