London, Jan 19: The Football Association has fined Chelsea 40,000 pounds (79,000 dollars) after their players surrounded the referee during the game against Derby County at Pride Park in November

In a clampdown on displays of petulance the game, the Blues were punished after they admitted the charge of failing to ensure that their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion. A group of Chelsea players lead y captain John Terry jostled referee Andre Mariner after he had sent off Michael Essien in the encounter for an incident with striker Kenny Miller.

The FA took into account the club's previous disciplinary record at a Regulatory Commission before handing out the fine.

Essien was suspended for three games for the incident that sparked the controversy.

Last year, Chelsea were fined 30,000 pounds and severely censured and warned about the future conduct after a similar incident after the defeat against Manchester United in September.

OneIndia News