Chelsea has been fined £25,000 by the FA for accumulating six yellow cards in their 2-1 loss to Manchester United.
Chelsea’s ill-discipline on the pitch has cost them dearly, with the club being fined £25,000 by the FA for accumulating six yellow cards in their 2-1 loss to Manchester United.
The match, which saw Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez shown a straight red card after just five minutes, was marked by chaotic scenes and driving rain.
The fine is not a surprise, given Chelsea’s history with discipline issues. Last season, the club was fined three times for hitting the six-card mark, with penalties increasing each time. The fines started at £25,000 for eight yellow cards against Bournemouth, rose to £50,000 for six bookings against Nottingham Forest, and peaked at £75,000 for six more against Newcastle.
Chelsea’s discipline issues are an ongoing concern, with the team receiving 12 yellow cards and one red card in their five games so far this season. Only four clubs have received more bookings than Chelsea, and none of those sides have had a player sent off yet this campaign.
Manager Enzo Maresca has previously downplayed the issue, saying that while discipline is something the team needs to improve, he likes the way his players fight and work together. “It’s something we need to improve, but overall, I like the team the way they are fighting,” Maresca said last October.
Despite Maresca’s optimism, the fines and bookings are starting to add up. Chelsea’s expensive string of bookings last season was a cause for concern, and it seems that the team still has work to do in this area.
The FA’s fine is a reminder that discipline is crucial in the Premier League. As Chelsea looks to improve its performance, the team will need to work on reducing its bookings and improving its overall discipline on the pitch.
