Soccer: Chelsea fined 20,000 pounds over referee confrontation

(Reuters) - Chelsea have been fined 20,000 pounds ($26,952) after their players and coaches confronted the referee during this month’s 1-1 Premier League draw against Huddersfield Town, the English Football Association (FA) said on Wednesday.

The London club had been angered when referee Lee Mason awarded them a corner but then blew for half-time before it was taken. The official had adjudged the required stoppage time had elapsed.

“Chelsea have been fined £20,000 after accepting a charge of failing to ensure their players and/or officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion,” the FA said in a statement.

The draw at Stamford Bridge played a part in Antonio Conte’s Chelsea missing out on Champions League qualification.

They finished fifth in the Premier League standings, five points behind fourth-placed Liverpool.

($1 = 0.7421 pounds)