United Scuffle Was 'handbags at 10 Paces'

Bruce Buck, the Chelsea chairman, has described Saturday's post-match scuffle at Stamford Bridge as 'handbags at 10 paces' and reiterated his club's stance that Manchester United's Patrice Evra was not subjected to racist abuse. The Football Association is waiting on evidence from both clubs after launching an inquiry. 'My understanding is it is not a racist issue,' said Buck, below.

'As far as we are concerned it is handbags at 10 paces. We have had the communication from the FA and now it is a matter for them.' Trouble had flared when United players were warming down and apparently objected to officials asking them to move. 'I'm very happy that my players were not involved in this,' said Avram Grant.

'It was players from the other team. But it's now a club issue.' Liverpool's manager, Rafael Benítez, said the FA had a duty to punish both clubs having 'made an example' of Javier Mascherano. 'The incident with Mascherano was nothing and he was made an example,' he said. 'Now I want to see another example.'