The Manchester United defender was involved in a fracas, which also involved Chelsea groundsman Sam Bethell, after their Barclays Premier League defeat at Stamford Bridge last season.

However, after a preliminary hearing into the case last month, an independent regulatory commission ruled the FA did not have disciplinary jurisdiction over Bethell "as his employers, Chelsea FC, had failed to notify him that he was subject to the FA's rules and regulations".

This led to the charges against Bethell - which also included using abusive language aggravated by reference to nationality/race - being dismissed, and Chelsea subsequently were charged, under FA Rule C.1(c)(iii), for "failure to include the required provisions in his employment contract".

Given the substitution of the original charges, it was decided the case against Evra would also be heard at a later date, together with Chelsea, most likely next month.

Chelsea have strenuously denied the charges, which also include a breach of FA Rule E.20(a) for failing to ensure that Bethell conducted himself in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from any one or a combination of racist and/or abusive and/or provocative conduct and/or language.