English champions Chelsea have been fined 10,000 pounds and warned to behave after players tried to put pressure on a referee during a league match last month.

"The charge related to an incident in the 43rd minute of the match at the Hawthorns on March 4 when several Chelsea players surrounded referee Mark Halsey following a foul by West Brom's Ronnie Wallwork," the FA said on its web site on Thursday.

Chelsea, who won the game 2-1 and are a point away from retaining their Premier League title, denied the charge and requested a personal hearing.

"At a disciplinary commission hearing today, the charge was found to be proven," the FA said.