Chelsea have been charged with failing to control their players following Michael Essien's dismissal at Derby County on Saturday.

Andre Marriner, the match referee, was confronted by a number of Chelsea players, including John Terry, after Essien's stoppage time sending-off.

The Regulatory Commission also rejected Essien's appeal against his straight red card for a push on Kenny Miller. He will serve a three-match suspension, and miss games against Sunderland, West Ham and Arsenal.

Chelsea could face further punishment and have until December 12 to respond.

Avram Grant, the Chelsea manager, today said he would be seeking talks with the Football Association over the treatment meted out to his players by match officials.

“I think the hand is on whistle too easy against us," he said. "All the red cards are too easy, they are not red cards. I saw what happened with Michael Essien.

“There are no pockets, so what can he do with his hands? He didn’t do anything wrong and it wasn’t a red card.

“I just know the facts. The red card against Man Utd [John Obi Mikel] was not a red card, the red card against Fulham was not a red card for Didier Drogba and the red card for Michael was not a red card.

“It cost us points in two of those games but I don’t think it is fair. I don’t know what the reason is but I see the facts - the red cards are too easily being given against us.

“The same things happen with other players and there is no red card.”

Ashley Cole, the Chelsea full back, said: "From what I saw, it did not look like he [Essien] really got him. He does that every day in training. It is just the way he is. He does not mean to hurt anyone. He just plays hard. We all know how strong he is and he is not a nasty player.

"It is a big blow to lose him for a suspension now, because we have got a lot of tough games coming up and it is going to be tough without him."

Earlier this season Chelsea were fined £30,000 and warned over their future conduct after admitting they failed to control their players during the 2-0 league defeat at Manchester United.

They were charged for the players' reaction to Mikel's sending-off for a challenge on Patrice Evra during the match on September 23.