FA to investigate Emirates missile

The Football Association are to investigate the throwing of an object - believed to be a camera - on to the pitch during yesterday's Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.

There was a brief stoppage in play midway through the first half when referee Andre Marriner removed the item, which came from a section of the home crowd, and appeared to be thrown towards Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard.

The referee has mentioned the incident in his match report back to FA officials, who will now contact Arsenal for further information.

Arsenal will co-operate fully with the Football Association, who could study any available CCTV footage or images from the live broadcast, as well as ask for eye-witness accounts from Emirates Stadium staff.

If any individual responsible can be identified, they could face a ban from Arsenal matches.

However, because the object did not strike any player or official, the likelihood of severe sanctions against the club are minimal.

Last season, a man was arrested and charged by South Wales Police following a coin-throwing incident, which resulted in referee Mike Dean being hit on the head, during the Coca-Cola Championship match between Cardiff and Swansea.

Chelsea forward Didier Drogba, who netted twice in the 3-0 win at Emirates Stadium, received a police caution for throwing a coin into a section of Burnley fans after scoring a goal during a Carling Cup fourth-round match at Stamford Bridge in November 2008.

Drogba was also banned for three matches by the FA.