Friday 13 February 2015 07:41, UK
Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic will not face any further action in relation to an incident involving Everton’s James McCarthy during the match at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
However both clubs have been charged for failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour.
The flashpoint occurred in the 86th minute following the dismissal of Gareth Barry as players from both sides confronted each other. Ivanovic grabbed McCarthy around the neck before appearing to move his head towards him; the Everton man was booked his part in the fracas but Ivanovic was not.
In Premier League matches, if an incident has not been seen by the match officials, a three-man panel of former elite referees will be asked by the Football Association to review it and advise what, if any, action they believe the match referee should have taken had it been witnessed at the time.
For an FA charge to follow, all three panel members must agree it is a sending-off offence; in this instance, the panel did not believe the conduct was worthy of a dismissal.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho refused to discuss the issue after his side’s 1-0 win, threatening to walk out of his press conference when asked about Ivanovic's role.
"I'm concerned with my reaction, because one more question (and) I leave,” he said. "And after that, you are not happy. The next question for that story, I have to go."
However, Everton boss Roberto Martinez was more forthcoming, stressing that he felt Ivanovic should have been sent off.
He said: "If you look at the images, Ivanovic's behaviour is wrong. That shouldn't be allowed. He grabs James McCarthy around his neck in a very forceful manner, then he puts his head against him when James McCarthy never reacted one single bit. If you want to be on top of the laws, that's a red card. We got nothing out of that moment."
Meanwhile both Chelsea and Everton have been have until 6pm on Tuesday 17 February 2015 to respond to the charge of failing to control their players.
