The FA have launched an investigation into the post-match flare-up at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, in which Chelsea groundstaff and Manchester United substitutes were involved in a 30-man melee half an hour after Chelsea's 2-1 victory.

As claim and counter claim threatens to escalate an already bitter row between two of England's biggest clubs, neither seems prepared to accept responsibility for the events. Carlos Tevez and Gerard Pique claim the row started when Patrice Evra, the Manchester United defender, was verbally abused by a member of the Chelsea groundstaff after ignoring a request to avoid warming down on a worn part of the pitch. Yet Evra’s representatives have denied that the defender was abused.

Whatever was said, an altercation then took place between Evra and the Chelsea staff in which the men appeared to try to exchange punches. Chelsea are adamant that their staff behaved properly and were the wronged parties in both incidents and will help the FA with its inquiries.

In a seperate incident, Rio Ferdinand, the United defender, was also forced to release a statement to explain why he kicked a female steward following the defeat. Ferdinand insists he was aiming his anger at a nearby wall but accidentally connected with the steward before kicking a door on his way to the dressing-room.

The FA has said it will examine CCTV footage of the incident before any action is taken.

Here is what both camps are saying:

Manchester United

Carlos Tevez: "Patrice received a grave insult from a member of Chelsea's staff. He demanded an explanation and, from that moment, these men just wanted to attack Patrice. "Obviously it's normal that we tried to defend our team-mate but within a few seconds all of the United players were surrounded by stewards.

"I think that the security cameras will show the provocation we received. I have never seen anything like this in my career... if the FA opens an investigation, we will cooperate and happily give our version of what happened."

"We noticed a hostile atmosphere during the match. That is normal but never did I believe these incidents would happen afterwards without any spectators in the ground."

Gerard Pique: "Basically, this came about because of the provocation of somebody who works for Chelsea. Patrice wanted an explanation but these men were very aggressive. All we were doing was finishing our work-out after the game. "Even now, I just do not understand the reaction of these people. I have seen the photos and, if the images are stored in the CCTV cameras then it will be impossible for them to say that the players were not provoked."

Rio Ferdinand: “I kicked the wall in frustration at the result, as I have done in the past. Unfortunately a lady was standing by and I accidentally brushed her with my foot. I went back to make sure she was okay and apologised profusely. Credit to her, she laughed it off and was very understanding. She said she wasn’t hurt. I have arranged for a bouquet of flowers to be sent to her.”

Chelsea
Sam Bethell, the Chelsea groundsman, said: "It was handbags really," he said. "It was not as bad as it appeared. "I've been told not to say anything about what actually happened."

A Chelsea spokesman: "We are studying relevant TV and closed-circuit footage and will be considering the appropriate course of action."

Referee
Alan Wiley: "With me being in the changing room, I didn't know anything about what might have happened after the match until I saw Match of the Day. The security people said they had nothing to report to me. The players from both teams worked really well with me."

The FA
Andrin Cooper, an FA spokesman, said: “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. But we will obviously be asking Chelsea to let us see their CCTV footage of the incident.”