Chelsea faces crunch UEFA disciplinary hearing

Chairman of UEFA's control and disciplinary body Thomas Partl of Austria is pictured before a meeting in Nyon, Switzerland. Chelsea were facing a potentially damaging disciplinary hearing at European soccer's governing body UEFA, following the English side's claim that referee Anders Frisk acted improperly during their Champions League clash against Barcelona.

Chelsea were facing a potentially damaging disciplinary hearing at European soccer's governing body UEFA, following the English side's claim that referee Anders Frisk acted improperly during their Champions League clash against Barcelona.

Lawyers for the English Premier League leaders turned up for the hearing at UEFA headquarters in Switzerland on Thursday as a sour climate reigned between Chelsea and European footballing chiefs.

Under the rulebook, the London side could face penalties ranging from a simple reprimand up to disqualification from the Champions' League if it is found guilty, while officials could be suspended from matches.

UEFA has accused Chelsea of bringing the game into disrepute and "making false declarations" following the match in Spain last month.

Officials said they hoped the disciplinary body would release its final ruling made later on Thursday, after examining written submissions earlier in the week.

Mourinho, his assistant Steve Clarke and security officer Les Miles alleged that Frisk met Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard during the half-time break.

The Swedish referee vehemently denied the claim and later retired from the game after receiving death threats. Frisk has been backed by senior UEFA officials.

Mourinho admitted Monday he had not seen the incident himself but instead said he was relying on the evidence of Clarke and Miles.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon, who has rejected the charges of lying, has made it clear that the London club will argue that it feels it has little chance of receiving a fair hearing from the governing body.

UEFA and Chelsea officials have traded bitter accusations over the incident, with European football chiefs clearly angered by the second case in recent months where an international referee was threatened, probably by English fans.

Swiss referee Urs Meier, who was already scheduled to retire last year, received death threats from English football supporters after he disallowed a last minute goal in the Euro 2004 quarter-final defeat by Portugal.

UEFA chief executive Lars Christer Olsson said earlier this month that the latest pressure on Frisk was unacceptable.

"We must sanction anyone within the football family who makes inflammatory statements that could jeopardise the security of match officials and their families, and brings the game into disrepute."

Both sides have the right to appeal after the disciplinary ruling, with a final appeal to the international Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne available thereafter.