Chelsea hit by FA charge after Aston Villa water bottle throwing incident
Chelsea have been charged by the FA after a plastic bottle was thrown toward Villa’s dugout following last month’s Premier League match.
The London club launched an investigation after the visiting dugout at Stamford Bridge was showered with water immediately after the final whistle of the game on December 27.
Villa’s players and staff at the time appeared to suggest the bottle had come from the home dugout and Chelsea have now been charged with a breach of FA rules.
An FA spokesperson said: “It’s alleged that the club failed to ensure its players and/or other relevant personnel positioned around the technical area after the final whistle did not behave in an improper and/or provocative and/or abusive way.”
Villa had been celebrating a 2-1 win which extended their advantage over the hosts in the race for Champions League qualification.
Ollie Watkins came off the bench to score twice, after Joao Pedro had given Chelsea a first half lead.
Villa’s victory also saw them equal a 128-year-old club record of 11 consecutive wins in all competitions.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, who watched the match from the stands due to a touchline ban, has since departed the club along with several members of his backroom team.
The London club have until Monday January 12 to provide a response to the charge.
