Drogba throws a coin back into the crowd after scoring
against Burnley at Stamford Bridge (above) while he also made a
swearing gesture (below) to the Burnley fans
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is facing a minimum
three-game ban after admitting a violent conduct charge on the day
it emerged he is wanted by Real Madrid as a replacement for the
injured Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Ivory Coast striker Drogba will learn his fate on Tuesday when
an FA regulatory commission meets to decide his punishment for
throwing a coin back into the crowd during Chelsea's penalty
shoot-out defeat by Burnley in the Carling Cup last Wednesday.
Didier Drogba gestures to the Burnley supporters after
scoring the opening goal
As revealed by Sportsmail, the FA may also consider his
one-fingered salute towards Burnley fans following his goal in a
separate incident - raising the possibility of a lengthier
ban.
The FA have set a precedent for coin throwing, banning Jamie
Carragher for three games for his reaction at Highbury in 2002 when
the Liverpool defender received a red card.
Drogba was shown a yellow card for his inflammatory goal
celebration, although referee Keith Stroud told the FA he would
have dismissed the striker if he had seen him throw the coin.
In addition, Chelsea may decide to fine Drogba £160,000, two
weeks' wages, for his loss of control. A police investigation into
the unsavoury events is also ongoing.
A three-match suspension would see Drogba miss games against
Newcastle, Arsenal and Bolton. Whether his antics will influence
Chelsea's desire to hang on to him in the face of renewed interest
from Real remains to be seen.
Real sporting director Predrag Mijatovic is an admirer of the
30-year-old and is desperate to capture an experienced replacement
for Van Nistelrooy, who has been ruled out for the rest of the
season with a knee injury.
The fruitless pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo and Chelsea's
£20million valuation of Drogba put paid to Real's interest in the
summer. But with Real ready to pay up to £15m for him in January
and with only 18 months remaining on his contract, Chelsea could be
tempted, especially after Luiz Felipe Scolari has been told cash
will be short for the transfer window.
Injury has restricted Drogba to one Barclays Premier League
start this season, while Nicolas Anelka has shone in his absence,
scoring 13 goals in all competitions. Anelka's blistering form
could tempt Scolari to cash in and use the money to fund a suitable
replacement.
