Chelsea have admitted an FA charge that their players failed to “conduct themselves in an orderly fashion” against Derby County last month.

The charge relates to the behaviour of the London club’s players towards Andre Marriner, the referee, after he sent off Michael Essien in injury-time of the game at Pride Park on November 24.

The Ghanaian, who came on as a late substitute in the game, was handed a straight red card after apparently catching Kenny Miller, the Derby striker, in the face with his arm. Chelsea have requested a personal hearing which is yet to be scheduled.

It is the fifth time in 21 months that the club has been in trouble with the FA. In April 2006, Chelsea were fined £10,000 for the same charge after players surrounded referee Mark Halsey against West Bromwich Albion.

A month later they were given a further £10,000 fine and warned as to their future conduct by an FA disciplinary commission after being found guilty of failing to control their players during a 1-0 Premiership defeat at Fulham in March. They denied the charge.

Last season, Chelsea were punished with a £100,000 fine and a reprimand for their part in a brawl with Arsenal players during the Carling Cup final - with their London rivals being fined the same amount.

Then, in September, the club were in hot water again after Mike Dean, the referee, was surrounded by at least four players, including John Terry, Claude Makelele, Michael Essien and Andriy Shevchenko after he sent off John Obi Mikel, the Chelsea midfielder. The club were fined £30,000 for not controlling the player.

It is the second time that Chelsea have been charged with failing to control their players in Avram Grant’s two-month reign as manager