Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was charged with improper conduct by the Football Association on Wednesday after being sent to the stands during the Premier League leader's stunning loss to Aston Villa last weekend.

Mourinho was dismissed by referee Chris Foy after going on to the pitch at Villa Park on Saturday following a red card to Chelsea midfielder Ramires.

A brief statement from the English FA said: "It is alleged the Chelsea manager's behavior in re-entering the field of play in or around the 90th minute of the fixture and approaching the match referee amounted to improper conduct."

Mourinho has until Monday to respond to the charge.

FA rules state managers must not leave the technical area during the course of the match. However, after Saturday's game Mourinho said several people left the touchline to go on the pitch.

"I was two or three meters inside the pitch or four-five meters, but there was like 10 persons there. It was me, my two assistants, (Villa boss) Paul Lambert, Paul's assistants," Mourinho said.

"And there was (Gabriel) Agbonlahor, who came in and made an aggression on Ramires from behind.

"So if I was sent off because I was on the pitch. I ask why not the others, especially one player that made an aggression on another one, Agbonlahor on Ramires?"

Mourinho was sent to the stands after Ramires' red card for a challenge on Karim El Ahmadi.

Speaking on Monday, Mourinho said he had tried to talk to Foy after the match.

"I tried to speak to Mr Foy twice. I tried to speak on the pitch and I tried in the dressing room.

"In the dressing room I tried to ask politely, 'Can you give me five seconds?' And he refused."

Mourinho's sending-off was his second of the season - he was fined 8,000 pounds ($13,200) after his dismissal during a game against Cardiff City in October.

(China Daily 03/21/2014 page24)