Touchline rows may draw fine

Chelsea's mood ahead of an already bitter Champions League return in Barcelona tomorrow is unlikely to be improved by the prospect…

Chelsea's mood ahead of an already bitter Champions League return in Barcelona tomorrow is unlikely to be improved by the prospect of a slew of fines resulting from their bad-tempered clash with West Bromwich Albion.

Both clubs could face penalties of up to £250,000 (€360,000) as a result of inquiries the Premier League and the Football Association are set to launch into their conduct in Chelsea's 2-1 win at The Hawthorns on Saturday. The furious touchline rows between the managers Jose Mourinho and Bryan Robson will be a principal focus of the investigations. The FA and Premier League will today receive referee Mark Halsey's report, in which he details four incidents that require their close scrutiny.

Of greatest concern were the two occasions when he felt players were trying to intimidate him in an attempt to influence his decisions. Both clubs could be charged with failing to control their players, which carries a maximum £250,000 fine.

The first incident was Ronnie Wallwork's two-footed lunge on Claude Makelele, which resulted in the West Brom midfielder receiving a yellow card after the referee had been berated by a throng of Chelsea players. Then, when Arjen Robben slid into Jonathan Greening, West Brom players crowded Halsey and Robben was sent off.

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The other two incidents the referee will highlight concern Chelsea's late arrival for the second half and the conduct of the opposing managers in the technical area. At one point Mourinho had to be restrained by the fourth official, Howard Webb, as he attempted to confront Robson after what he considered to be a foul on Didier Drogba by Greening.

Ronaldinho insists he would not be interested in joining Chelsea. "I know Chelsea want to sign me but they are a team I don't want to play for."

He claimed the Blues' physical approach to their Champions League first-leg clash would lead him to shun any move to west London. "The first leg showed me their style does not interest me. Every time I had possession they went to kick my feet first before trying to get the ball."