FA charge for Evra

7:14pm Friday 18th July 2008

Manchester United defender Patrice Evra and Chelsea groundsman Sam Bethell have been charged by the Football Association.

The move comes following an exhaustive inquiry into events which occurred at Stamford Bridge immediately after United's defeat to Chelsea on April 26, the hosts winning thanks to a disputed Michael Ballack penalty.

Evra and Bethell were involved in a heated exchange during the visitors' warm-down.

The FA have taken witness statements during their investigations and while Evra and Bethell have both been charged with improper conduct, the Chelsea man has also been accused of using 'abusive language aggravated by reference to nationality/race'.

As a player, the punishments for Evra, if found guilty, range from a fine to a ban.

No date for the hearing has been set and with both clubs on pre-season trips, it may be a while before it is arranged.

"The charges are the result of a thorough investigation conducted by the FA over the last three months," read an FA statement.

"In bringing the charges, the FA used video evidence, CCTV footage and various witness statements from individuals present."

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