Man Utd players blame Chelsea staff for brawl

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — Manchester United players have claimed that Chelsea ground staff were reponsible for provoking the row that marred the end of the Premier League showdown between the two teams on Saturday by insulting Patrice Evra.

Chelsea won a tense encounter at Stamford Bridge 2-1 with a late penalty strike from Michael Ballack and it was minutes after the final whistle blew when the brawl erupted.

United stars substitutes Patrick Evra, Paul Scholes, John O'Shea, Gerard Pique and Gary Neville were taking part in a warm-down on the pitch when they were asked to move by ground staff.

A scuffle erupted, in which fellow substitute Carlos Tevez also became embroiled.

The Argentina striker said in the Guardian: "Patrice received a grave insult from a...