Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has warned new coach Avram Grant to reign in the players' discipline.

The Israeli has been told to stop slating refs after Chelsea were hit with their 12th disciplinary charge in the past two and a half years.

The club was accused of failing to control its players during Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Manchester United, Grant's first game as boss.

And assistant manager Steve Clarke faces a charge of using insulting language to referee Mike Dean and his assistants.

Abramovich has warned Grant that he does not want him to make the same mistake as Jose Mourinho by slagging off match officials.

A Chelsea source told The Sun: "Roman believes the club is suffering as a result of constant arguments with the authorities.

"He knows Chelsea gained a reputation as poor losers under Mourinho and fears the manager's behaviour alienated the public and generated hostility to the club.

"He wants Grant to adopt a conciliatory attitude."