[funkdoctorspock]

Well it seems this was all about where these lads should run in relation to how the grounds crew were cutting the grass. Argument, some nasty words and a melee.

I better not read that a United player is suspended or severely fined for this, because it seems that the grounds crew did quite a bit to escalate this incident.

Evra 'racially abused' prior to pitch brawl

Tevez claims grave insult was directed at team-mate
FA launches investigation into fracas at Chelsea

Patrice Evra is alleged to have been racially abused in the moments leading to the violent confrontation between Manchester United's players and a number of Chelsea employees after Saturday's game at Stamford Bridge. Evra has been promised his team-mates' support as the Football Association opens an investigation into the incident.

United will request a copy of the CCTV footage from Chelsea and will study the pictures before making a formal complaint. Evra was punched at least once, ending up with a bruise and a small cut above his eye. The Frenchman has admitted losing his temper but claims he was provoked, an allegation that has been backed by some of the players who were close by. One source close to Evra has told United that a racist comment was made.

"Patrice received a grave insult from a member of Chelsea's staff," Carlos Tevez said last night. "He demanded an explanation and from that moment these men just wanted to attack Patrice. Obviously it's normal that we tried to defend our team-mate but within a few seconds all of the United players were surrounded by stewards.

"I think that the security cameras will show the provocation we received. I have never seen anything like this in my career . . . if the FA opens an investigation, we will cooperate and happily give our version of what happened."

The flashpoint occurred after a group of Sir Alex Ferguson's unused players were asked not to run across the pitch during their 'warm-down' because the grass was being cut. Instead they were told to jog in the same direction as the lawnmowers so the groundstaff could repair the turf ahead of Liverpool's visit on Wednesday for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final. The players refused and it is thought that one of them may have sworn. It was at this point that Evra was allegedly abused and the punch-up began. The two groups were separated but then came together again and Evra had to be restrained by team-mates. Photographs show one Chelsea employee, believed to be a groundsman, with his fist raised.

"Basically, this came about because of the provocation of somebody who works for Chelsea," said Gerard Piqué, another of the players involved. "Patrice wanted an explanation but these men were very aggressive. All we were doing was finishing our work-out after the game. Even now I just do not understand the reaction of these people. I have seen the photos and, if the images are stored in the CCTV cameras, then it will be impossible for them to say that the players were not provoked."

Tevez added: "We noticed a hostile atmosphere during the match. That is normal but never did I believe these incidents would happen afterwards without any spectators in the ground."

The FA has requested the CCTV footage, as well as reports from both clubs. Chelsea say they will comply, their instinct being to follow the FA's guidance on the issue, though they have not yet ruled out lodging a formal complaint over the conduct of United's players. At the end of the match Rio Ferdinand tried to kick a door in the tunnel but connected instead with a female steward, who was left with stud marks down her right shin. While it is understood that she has accepted his apology, and flowers, the incident did not reflect favourably on a player who, a few hours earlier, had emerged as Fabio Capello's preferred choice to captain England.

Ferguson's main concern is the fitness of Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic and Anderson, all of whom had treatment for injuries yesterday, with Rooney in particular a doubt for tomorrow's Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona. However, Ferguson will give his version of events today and is likely to back Evra. United were also unimpressed that stewards prevented Sir Bobby Charlton and the chief executive, David Gill, from trying to calm the situation.

Chelsea have yet to comment on the matter but intend to scrutinise the CCTV footage in an attempt to work out what provoked the fracas.

Evra 'racially abused' prior to pitch brawl | Football | The Guardian

and some pics from the incident: