(adds details and Ferdinand quotes)
By Mike Collett
LONDON, April 26 - Chelsea ground staff and
Manchester United players were involved in a bizarre fracas on
the pitch in an almost deserted Stamford Bridge stadium after
Saturday's Premier League match between the two teams.
None of the United players who started the match were
involved but Patrice Evra, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Gerard
Pique, Park Ji-sung, and substitute John O'Shea were all warming
down when an argument began with the ground staff tending the
pitch.
Stewards quickly moved in to separate those involved but
after the situation quietened down the row flared up again,
although no punches were thrown.
The incident, which lasted less than 30 seconds but involved
a great deal of shouting and posturing, came a few minutes after
Chelsea beat United 2-1 to pull level with them at the top of
the table.
A Chelsea spokesman told reporters: "We will be studying the
CCTV footage of the incident and take whatever action is
appropriate."
After the game, United defender Rio Ferdinand told reporters
he had apologised to a steward after accidentally kicking her
following Michael Ballack's late penalty winner.
Ferdinand kicked out at a brick wall as he walked off the
pitch but also made contact with the steward.
"Unfortunately, a lady was standing by and I accidentally
brushed her with my foot. I apologised profusely and went back
to make sure she was OK," he said. "I have arranged for a
bouquet of flowers to be sent to her.
"Credit to her, she laughed it off and was very
understanding. She said she wasn't hurt."
(Editing by Sonia Oxley)