Chelsea are facing a charge of failing to control their players for the second time this season following a confrontation with the referee Andre Marriner at Derby County on Saturday, reports The Guardian.

John Terry, the Chelsea captain, led an angry protest by six Chelsea players after Marriner sent off Michael Essien after his raised arm struck Kenny Miller in the face.

Marriner's report to the Football Association said that he felt the players had acted in an intimidatory fashion and Soho Square is likely to impose a penalty.

In September, Chelsea were fined £30,000 after admitting an FA charge of failing to control their players against Manchester United after John Obi Mikel was sent off at Old Trafford.

The penalty is expected to be considerably higher for a repeat offence and the FA is facing a test of its resolve to offer officials greater protection.