FA charge Chelsea and West Ham over massive brawl in heated London derby

Chelsea and West Ham United have both been charged by the Football Association for failing to control their players in Saturday’s Premier League game.

Chelsea’s late 3-2 win against the Hammers descended into chaos after a huge brawl broke out in stoppage time. It all started when Joao Pedro reacted to Adama Traore’s shove on Marc Cucurella, with both sets of players coming together in ugly scenes.

Following the incident, West Ham’s Jean-Clair Todibo was shown a straight red card by referee Anthony Taylor for grabbing Joao Pedro by the neck in the wild melee after a lengthy VAR check.

Announcing his decision to the stadium, Taylor said: “After review, West Ham number 25 grabs Chelsea number 20 round the throat in a violent manner. Therefore my final decision is a red card, violent conduct.”

West Ham United’s defender Jean-Clair Todibo  sent off for this assault on Chelsea’s Joao Pedro (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP via Getty Images) /

The FA has now confirm that both clubs have been charged, as Chelsea’s players were “improper and/or provocative”, while West Ham’s players were “improper and/or provocative and/or violent”. Both clubs have until Friday to provide their respective responses.

“Chelsea FC and West Ham United FC have been charged following their Premier League fixture on Saturday, January 31,” an FA statement confirmed.

“It’s alleged that Chelsea FC failed to ensure its players didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the 95th minute. West Ham FC allegedly failed to ensure that its players didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative and/or violent way at the same time.

Both clubs have until Friday, 6 February, to provide their respective responses.”