Chelsea face being thrown out of Champions League

Last updated : 21 March 2005 By Paul Lagan
Chelsea face expulsion from the Champions League if they are found guilty of making false accusations, claim UEFA.

Jose Mourinho, Steve Clarke and security officer Les Miles are under investigation by UEFA over claims they made following Chelsea's Champions League match against Barcelona, in Spain.

Chelsea claim that Barca coach Frank Rikjaard went into referee Ander Frisk's room at half-time during Chelsea 2-1 defeat in the 1st knockout stage leg.

They also failed to attend the mandatory post-match media conference.

UEFA state: "Uefa today announced the opening of disciplinary proceedings against Chelsea FC, head coach Jose Mourinho, assistant manager Steven Clarke and security officer Les Miles for making false declarations."

It said that those declarations were "notably in the complaint sent by Chelsea FC following the UEFA Champions League match played against FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou on 23 February 2005.

"By further disseminating these wrong and unfounded statements, Chelsea FC allowed its technical staff to deliberately create a poisoned and negative ambience amongst the teams and to put pressure on the refereeing officials."

Uefa's Control and Disciplinary Body will hear Chelsea's case on 31 March.

Its powers include everything from warning or fining Chelsea, to ruling the annulment of the result of the game in question or throwing the Blues out of the Champions League.