Police study Drogba 'coin throwing' incident

The Metropolitan Police and the Football Association today confirmed they are investigating an incident involving Chelsea striker Didier Drogba in which he threw an object at Burnley fans during last night's Carling Cup match.

The striker threw the object, believed to be a coin, back into the crowd after scoring the opening goal and also appeared to gesture at the away fans.

Drogba was quick to apologise last night, but a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "I can confirm we are investigating the incident.

"An inquiry is being conducted by the Football Unit at Fulham police station. No-one has been arrested."

An FA spokesman added: "We are investigating. That's all I can say until we have had a chance to look into it further."

Drogba, who was shown a yellow card for his actions, said: "This is something I want to make clear. I tried to celebrate the goal and I received some things at me.

"The big mistake I did was to throw it back so if someone was hurt, I just want to apologise for it.

"This is not something I should show in a football match and I want to apologise.

"It was an incident in the heat of the moment and I regret it. It was just a mistake and nothing more."

Drogba had put Chelsea ahead in their Carling Cup fourth-round tie against the Coca-Cola Championship side with a superb curling effort into the bottom corner.

But a shock equaliser 20 minutes from time from Burnley's veteran striker Ade Akinbiyi stunned the Barclays Premier League leaders.

With the tie still level at 1-1 at the end of extra time, Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen saved from Wayne Bridge and John Mikel Obi to send Chelsea crashing out of the competition.

Chelsea said last night that they will await the referee's report before commenting further. Burnley manager Owen Coyle and Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said they did not see the incident.

Scolari said: "I have not spoken with Didier about any problem. The referee gave him a yellow card but I did not see what happened."

In 2002, Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was sent off in an FA Cup tie against Arsenal at Highbury after throwing a coin back into the crowd. He received a mandatory three-match ban.

He was interviewed by police but no further action was taken. However, Carragher was fined by the club and warned as to his future conduct.