The holders, Tottenham, continued their defence by beating the competitions most prolific winners, Liverpool, to make it into the last eight – Qtr-final draw on Saturday.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association.

The charge comes in the wake of Drogba throwing a coin back at the visiting fans after being struck by objects hurled from the crowd.

The Ivory Coast international issued an apology after the match which Burnley went on to win 5-4 on penalties.

Drogba has until 6pm on Monday to respond to the charge and a regulatory commission will hear the case on Tuesday.

Referee Keith Stroud informed the FA that he booked Drogba for celebrating in front of the away supporters, but did not see the coin-throwing incident.

An FA spokesman said: “Players should be able to play football without fearing for their personal safety. It is totally unacceptable for players to be put in danger by supporters throwing missiles onto the pitch.

“The priority now is to work with the clubs and the police to identify the individuals involved. The FA wants anyone found guilty of throwing missiles to face the strongest possible action.

“That includes life bans from attending football matches.”

The FA have requested further information from both Chelsea and Burnley and are liaising with the Metropolitan Police, who have launched their own investigation into the incident.

Team-mate Frank Lampard has called for Drogba to avoid a ban, insisting it would send the wrong message to fans.

“There are two sides to it,” said Chelsea midfielder Lampard. “Didier’s come out and there’s been a reaction, a human reaction I have to say, which Jamie Carragher made once.

“I was around Didier at the time and I don’t know how many coins there were around.

“I take quite a lot of corners and it’s not unusual to get things thrown at you and lots of abuse, too, and I think it’s got to a stage now where it’s got to stop.”

“We’ve seen referees getting hit, too, so I think people have to take responsibility as a group.”

The holders, Tottenham, continued their defence by beating the competitions most prolific winners, Liverpool, to make it into the last eight – Qtr-final draw on Saturday.

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