Drogba faces police and FA action after throwing coin

The Football Association are studying referee Keith Stroud's report but it is understood the Blues striker could be charged with violent conduct, resulting in a mandatory three-game ban.

A fan threw a coin at Drogba in the 27th minute after the 30-year-old had given the home side the lead. The Ivorian striker responded with an obscene gesture before hurling the coin back into the crowd.

A Metropolitan spokesman confirmed today that they were looking into the confrontation, saying: "An inquiry is being conducted by the Football Unit at Fulham police station. No one has been arrested."

Stroud showed Drogba a yellow card at the time but it is thought that was for the one-fingered salute rather than the throwing of the coin.

The FA have a precedent in an incident involving Jamie Carragher in 2002, when he threw a coin into the crowd during an FA Cup tie at Highbury.
On that occasion, Carragher was sent off by the referee and subsequently banned for three matches. The FA will ask Stroud what he saw and, if he did not see the incident, what action he would have taken.

Given Carragher's punishment — he was also interviewed by police — Drogba's offence is almost certain to be treated in a similar vein.
The incident comes amid claims from Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Graham Taylor that fans' behaviour is deteriorating.

"What worries me is that the over-the-top abuse is starting to creep back into the game," Taylor told Standard Sport.

"I don't want to hark back to the 1980s when there were searches outside grounds because you can't stop people carrying coins. But with the Harry Redknapp coin-throwing incident, the abuse Sol Campbell received at Portmsouth and other problems, the general level of behaviour has to be a concern.

"I just hope that by using CCTV, the appropriate action can be taken on the fan or fans involved. Football should be a joyous occasion and this has tainted an otherwise glorious night in Burnley's history."

Although Taylor refused to excuse Drogba's actions, he had a degree of sympathy given the abuse he was receiving from the away section of the Shed End and pointed out the had quickly admitted responsibility.

"You have to take into the account that Drogba realised he was wrong and apologised but I can't condone it. Two wrongs don't make a right," added Taylor. "I feel sorry for him — he's a great character and a quality individual. He had just come back from injury, scored and he reacted. But you can't have players responding, however fierce the provocation.

"It's part of the profession and you just have to count to 10 and calm yourself. With the precedent of Jamie Carragher's ban following a very similar incident, the FA will be expected to show consistency."

Apologising for the incident after the match, Drogba said: "This is not something I should show in a football match. It was an incident in the heat of the moment and I regret it. It was just a mistake and nothing more."

A Chelsea spokesman said: "We won't comment any further until the police and FA investigations have been completed."