LONDON: Manchester United defender Patrice Evra was charged on Friday with improper conduct by the English Football Association over a post-match brawl at Chelsea in April.

Photographs showed Chelsea groundsman Sam Bethell, who will face the same charge, raising a fist toward Evra while being held back by two Chelsea staff members.

The France international could be fined or banned. No date has been set for the hearing.

The FA said Bethell used "abusive language aggravated by reference to nationality or race" toward Evra, who is black.

"Chelsea FC condemn all forms of discrimination in football and society," the club said in a statement, adding they found no evidence to back up the FA's racism charge against Bethell.
"Such allegations against our club are extremely serious and Chelsea will not be making any further comment until we have assessed all the implications of the charge."

United centreback Rio Ferdinand was not charged but "reminded of his responsibilities" over a separate post-match incident in which he kicked at a wall in frustration after the 2-1 loss in the tunnel and instead hit a woman steward.

Ferdinand, who is hoping to be chosen England captain by Fabio Capello, apologised at the time of the incident.

At least six United players were involved in the clashes with Chelsea stewards and groundsmen at Stamford Bridge.

"The charges are the result of a thorough investigation conducted by the FA over the past three months," the association said in a statement. "In bringing the charges, the FA used video evidence, CCTV footage and various witness statements from individuals present."

Evra, Gary Neville, Park Ji-sung, Danny Wellbeck, John O'Shea and Paul Scholes -- who all did not play in the match -- were running on the field cooling down about 30 minutes after the final whistle when the trouble broke out.

The scuffles came as the Chelsea ground staff were cutting the grass.

The United players were reportedly asked not to run across the field and to jog in the same direction as the lawnmowers. -- AP