The FA has charged Chelsea for breaching the rules in the infamous 'Battle of the Bridge' incident last season.

One of the club's groundsmen fought with Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra after Chelsea's 2-1 win over champions Man United.

The FA decided that Chelsea had failed to keep groundsman Sam Bethell under control in the altercation at Stamford Bridge on April 26.

No charges were levelled against Bethell himself because Chelsea had failed to tell him that he was subject to the governing body's rules or to include any such mention in his contract – thus the FA held no jurisdiction over him and were forced to dismiss his case.

"Chelsea FC will contest the charges," the club said on Wednesday night.

"We are surprised and extremely disappointed that the decision to charge the club was made almost five months after the incident."

In the dramatic confrontation, other United players including Paul Scholes, Ji-Sung Park and Carlos Tevez had clashed with Chelsea stewards and groundsmen.

They had been asked to move off the pitch during a routine post-match warm-down but alleged that Bethell had aimed a racist insult at the Senegal-born Evra.

Reserve player Danny Wellbeck was forced to intervene to restrain Evra as the Chelsea stewards struggled to restore order in the wake of the club's dramatic last-gasp victory over United, which helped keep the title race alive until the final game of the season.

Chelsea studied close-circuit television coverage of the incident but failed to censure Bethell.

They now have until Sept 25 to respond to the FA's charge.

Bethell was accused of improper conduct and using abusive language aggravated by reference to Evra's nationality or race, both charges that he denied last month.

Chelsea added that they understood "that no racist language was used and that Sam Bethell was doing no more than trying to defend himself. Chelsea FC is deeply committed to stamping out racist behavior and would never condone it."

Evra was charged with improper conduct for the incident and will face his personal hearing at the FA on Oct 2, having denied the charge.