Caught in the act: Didier Drogba is pictured throwing a coin
(circled) at the Burnley fans.
Didier Drogba is facing a minimum three-match ban after
it emerged that referee Keith Stroud did not see the Chelsea
striker sling a coin at Burnley supporters or flip his middle
finger at them.
The FA have delayed the announcement but Drogba can expect to be
hit with a 'violent conduct' charge today for the coin-throwing.
That carries an automatic three-game ban, but the FA's disciplinary
commission may consider the finger gesture as a separate
incident.
Stroud's report from Wednesday's Carling Cup tie landed at Soho
Square yesterday, confirming Drogba's yellow card was for an
inflammatory goal celebration in a game Chelsea went on to lose on
penalties.
He celebrated aggressively in front of some 6,000 visiting
Burnley fans, flipping his middle finger at them. Then he picked up
a coin thrown at him and flung it back.
Referee Stroud has told the FA that he would have shown Drogba a
red card had he seen him throw the coin, so they can still act.
Liverpool's Jamie Carragher was sent off in 2002 for throwing a
coin into the Highbury crowd and was banned for three games. Alan
Smith was banned for two games when he threw a plastic bottle back
into the crowd when playing for Leeds and was cautioned by the
police.
Who, me ref?: Drogba is booked for over-celebrating by
referee Keith Stroud, who insists he would have sent the striker
off had he seen him throw the coin.
Drogba, however, may receive extra punishment for his
middle-finger salute. The incident is also being investigated by
police after a formal complaint was made by a member of the
public.
It is the latest example of footballers behaving badly this
week. David Norris of Ipswich apologised for a 'handcuffs'
celebration of a goal, interpreted as support for former team-mate
Luke McCormick, serving seven years in jail for killing two
brothers in a drink-drive crash.
Hull strikers Dean Windass and Marlon King reportedly brawled in
a Scarborough club, while Sheffield United's Chris Morgan is under
scrutiny for the challenge which broke the skull of Barnsley's Iain
Hume.
Coins were thrown at other Chelsea players on Wednesday. One
just missed Frank Lampard, which security staff reported to Stroud.
Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari said: 'After the game, Didier
realised what he had done and apologised sincerely. The police and
the FA will investigate what happened. Whatever they decide, we
will agree to.'
A lengthy ban for Drogba will be a blow to Chelsea who have
limited options at centre forward. Their next three games are at
West Bromwich tomorrow, at home to Newcastle and the crucial London
derby against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on November 30.
