Patrice Evra banned for four matches

Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has been banned for four matches and fined £15,000 after the FA ruled he attacked Chelsea groundsman Sam Bethell at Stamford Bridge last season.

Chelsea have also been fined £25,000 because of Bethell's own conduct during the altercation, following the Londoners' controversial 2-1 win. However, an allegation that Bethell had 'engaged in racist conduct or language' was not proved and Chelsea were cleared of that charge. The regulatory commission found a charge of improper conduct against Patrice Evra proved on all four elements of the charge.

The FA statement in full…

“The Commission found that his conduct during a warm-down session following the Chelsea v Manchester United, Premier League fixture on April 26 2008, was improper in that:

1. Mr Evra pushed the Chelsea head groundsman with his chest (as was admitted by Mr Evra)
2. He struck Mr Sam Bethell, a groundsman at Chelsea, on the side of his head
3. He subsequently, ie after the previous incident had begun to calm down, ran back to confront Mr Bethell again (as was also admitted by Mr Evra)
4. Then became involved in a further physical altercation with Mr Bethell.

The Commission considered this was an incident of violent behaviour by Mr Evra which was therefore punished by a suspension for four first team matches as from Monday, December 22 and imposed a fine of £15,000 on Mr Evra.