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LONDON, April 27 (Reuters) - The FA will request CCTV footage of the fracas between several Manchester United players and Chelsea ground staff after the teams' Stamford Bridge Premier League game on Saturday.
United players Patrice Evra, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Gerard Pique, Park Ji-sung and John O'Shea were warming down after Chelsea's 2-1 victory when ground staff asked them to move to another area of the pitch.
A row developed and Chelsea security staff pulled the parties apart.
"We will obviously be asking Chelsea to let us see their CCTV footage of the incident," an FA spokesman told the BBC.
"This will have nothing to do with the referee's report. "He would have been in his dressing room, a long way from the incident."
The Guardian newspaper reported on Monday the confrontation had been sparked by a racial insult aimed at Evra.
"Patrice received a grave insult from a member of Chelsea's staff," United's Argentine striker Carlos Tevez was quoted as saying. "He demanded an explanation and from that moment these men just wanted to attack Patrice. I think that the security cameras will show the provocation we received.
"I have never seen anything like it in my career."
The newspaper said the disagreement broke out when the players were asked to continue their warm-down in the same direction as the lawnmowers so repairs to the pitch could be carried out ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash against Liverpool.
The dispute was the final act of a controversial afternoon as Chelsea won with a late penalty to join league leaders United on 81 points with two games remaining.
FERDINAND APOLOGY
United's Rio Ferdinand apologised to a steward for accidentally kicking her as he lashed out at a wall while leaving the pitch, seemingly annoyed about the decision to award the match-winning penalty following a clear handball by Michael Carrick.
The result means the title will not be decided until the final day of the season on May 11, although United's vastly superior goal difference means they could effectively secure it earlier by beating West Ham United if Chelsea lose at Newcastle United.
Before those games, however, both teams have European matters to deal with in the second legs of their Champions League semi-finals.
United face Barcelona at Old Trafford on Tuesday after a goalless first leg and have injury concerns over striker Wayne Rooney and centre-back Vidic.
Rooney, who scored United's goal on Saturday, was substituted with a hip injury while Vidic had stitches in a cut mouth and was dazed after being caught by Didier Drogba's knee.
Chelsea host Liverpool after a 1-1 Anfield draw.
