8. Patrice Evra's Fight With The Chelsea Groundsman
In April 2008, Chelsea were embroiled in another controversy following a 2-1 win over rivals Manchester United. After full-time, Patrice Evra and other United players were warming down on the Stamford Bridge pitch and were asked by a groundsman to move aside so that he could inspect the turf. An altercation ensued, and Evra was caught on camera running towards the groundsman with his hands raised as he was chased down by security guards. The groundsman in question, Sam Bethell, was alleged to have thrown a punch at the United left-back and could be seen reaching out to grab the Frenchman while being restrained by Blues officials. Both were charged with improper conduct for the fracas, while Evra was later banned for four matches and fined £15,000 for his part in the brawl. Chelsea meanwhile were fined £25,000 for "failing to ensure an employee conducted himself in an orderly fashion".
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
