The bad blood between Arsenal and Chelsea continued with a
mass brawl involving their young reserve sides. The Football
Association are likely to look at video evidence of the latest
trouble between the two London rivals following a spate of charges
after the fighting during the Carling Cup Final eight days
ago.
The trouble, during a rainswept 0-0 draw at Aldershot's Recreation
Ground watched by 3,119 spectators, was sparked after Arsenal
goalkeeper Mart Poom dropped the ball and more than a dozen players
from both sides waded in. The melee ended in bookings for Chelsea's
Ben Sahar and Sam Hutchinson and Arsenal's Abumere Ogogo and Gavin
Hoyte, younger brother of Justin.
Chelsea's official website reported: "The game assumed full Chelsea
v Arsenal status when a stand-up set-to between multiple players
followed a scramble. There were no coaches on the field this time."
The FA, who charged both clubs with misconduct after the Carling
Cup Final brawl that saw Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho dash onto
the pitch to control their players, can take action over trouble in
reserve matches.
Today, Arsenal's Togan striker Emmanuel Adebayor will discover the
result of an FA disciplinary charge at a personal hearing. The
21-year-old was shown a red card against Chelsea in Cardiff. He is
serving a three-match domestic ban as a result and could face
further sanctions for "reacting aggressively and failing to leave
the field of play immediately after being sent off".
