The FA has charged Didier Drogba, the Chelsea forward, with violent conduct for throwing a coin into the crowd during the Carling Cup defeat by Burnley at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Although he issued an apology immediately after the final whistle, Drogba can expect a mandatory three-match suspension.

If, as is expected, he pleads guilty, he has until 6pm on Monday to respond to the charge - the case will be heard next week - and the club are unlikely to take any internal disciplinary action before then.

The Metropolitan Police are also investigating the incident and the FA is working with both clubs to try to identify the spectator who threw the coin on to the pitch when Drogba was celebrating putting Chelsea ahead at the Shed End, where the Burnley supporters were housed. Chelsea went on to lose in a penalty shoot-out.

Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Chelsea manager, defended his player yesterday and criticised the Burnley fans. “Didier went to the pitch to play,” Scolari said. “He didn't put coins in his pocket. For people, for the police, for the FA, they have to think about this. He was happy to score a goal and he wasn't starting anything. It wasn't Didier who started it.

“Didier didn't go out on to the pitch to fight but to play. He apologised after the game. But I want, now, the police to find out who was the man who threw that [coin], which fan threw it. After this, we'll look at what happens. I'm not a judge.”

Less predictably, perhaps, Drogba also received the support of Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager. “I believe overall that Drogba is a fair player,” Wenger said. “He had a moment of non-controlled reactions and he accepted that and apologised, you have to accept that. He will certainly be punished, but overall he is a fair player and fair fighter in our game.

“We have a responsibility as managers and players to keep in control of what we do and to stay calm. We are expected to always keep our nerves and I think 99 times out of 100 we do that, but on that one time we are punished and we accept that.”

Scolari called for British fans to maintain the atmosphere that makes the Barclays Premier League popular. “In the world sometimes some crazy people don't go to watch the games,” he said. “In England the game is a party. It's fantastic. I look and there are 40,000 people singing. It's beautiful. I want to say to the fans, during the game they can support their different teams, but after the game you offer congratulations and it's finished. England can give this example to the world.”

The tie against Burnley also threw up the issue of Chelsea's shortage of efficient striking alternatives. Nicolas Anelka was rested, Drogba is not fit enough to play a full 90 minutes - and is facing a ban - and other attacking players lacked a cutting edge. The answer, according to Scolari, will not necessarily be to expand his options in January. He still believes that 24 is the optimum squad size.

“I don't believe a squad of 34 is a squad where everyone is the same quality,” he said. “Despite all our problems, we're still top of the table. That's because all the players are very good. I don't want to pay ten players to do nothing. I started in a small team and I know how important money is.” Even to Chelsea? “Yes,” he said. “If I want to change players, I'll sell someone or loan someone to bring someone else in. Money is a problem all over the world at the moment.”