Coins thrown at Manchester City youngsters from Chelsea section of fans during FA Cup tie

Referee Andre Marriner picked up a couple of coins from the pitch

Referee Andre Marriner picks up a coin at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea are set to face an FA investigation after coins appeared to be thrown at Manchester City's players as they celebrated an equaliser during the FA Cup Fifth Round tie at Stamford Bridge.

Referee Andre Marriner was shown picking up coins from the turf in the vicinity of where David Faupala and team-mates celebrated Manchester City's 37th minute goal, which levelled the tie at 1-1.

Marriner, who appeared to pick up three missiles, will almost certainly include the incident in his match report, which will spark an investigation by the FA.

The incident comes a day after West Brom player Chris Brunt was hit by a coin thrown by one of his side's own fans. Brunt went over to the travelling fans after his team's 3-1 defeat to Reading at the Madejski Stadium so that he could hand his shirt to a youngster when he was struck in the face.

After that incident, which Brunt said made him "disgusted" and "ashamed", the FA vowed to investigate.

"We strongly condemn any such behaviour and will work with both clubs and the authorities to identify those responsible," the governing body said.

West Brom said they would impose "the severest of sanctions" on the culprit, adding in a statement: "All our true supporters will join the club in condemning the sickening behaviour of a few individuals at the end of our FA Cup fifth-round tie."

A Chelsea spokesman at half-time condemned the action and said if evidence can be found of who is responsible they would be banned from the stadium.