Chelsea have been fined £40,000 by the Football Association (FA) for failing to ensure their players behaved in an improper manner during their 2-0 defeat against Ipswich Town in December.

The Blues slumped to disappointment at Portman Road as the Tractor Boys earned their first home win of the campaign after goals from Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson. There was some controversy over the decision to allow Ipswich the opportunity from the penalty spot after 12 minutes as the forward went down under the challenge of Filip Jorgensen.

In Stockley Park, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) upheld the decision as John Brooks' on-field decision leading to the anger from the Chelsea players. Delap stepped up to hand Ipswich the lead after 10 minutes.

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At the time, the Premier League released a statement which read: "The referee's call of penalty for a foul by Jorgensen on Delap was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed there was sufficient contact for a penalty.

At the beginning of January, Chelsea were charged by the FA and subsequently, the Blues have admitted the charge and in a statement from the FA, the punishment is revealed. "Chelsea have been fined £40,000 after surrounding the match official during the Premier League fixture against Ipswich Town on Monday 30 December 2024," it said.

"The club admitted that, during the 10th minute of the fixture, it failed to ensure that its player did not behave in an improper manner.

"The sanction was subsequently imposed by an independent Regulatory Commission."

However, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca failed to be drawn on the criticism surrounding the decision. The Italian said: "They [the players] said it's a bit soft but we have to accept it's a penalty.

"I don't know what clipped me but something did. I just tried to get there before [Jorgensen] and he was coming out fast so I knew he'd touch me if I didn't get it round him.

"We've had three or four opportunities where we've not had the penalty we probably deserved so nice to get that one and put it in the back of the net. I've practiced them a million times so just aimed for the corner and put it there."