Drogba and Frank Lampard were the target of missiles from a section of the 6,100 Clarets support after the Ivory Coast striker put the Blues in front after 27 minutes, but Drogba reacted with a middle finger salute, before hurling a coin back into the Shed end.

The former Marseilles frontman later apologised, but could now face police action and a suspension.

He apologised immediately after the game, saying in a statement on Chelsea's website: "I tried to celebrate the goal and I received some things at me.

"The big mistake I did was to throw it back so if someone was hurt I just want to apologise for it.

"This is not something I should show in a football match. It was an incident in the heat of the moment and I regret it. It was just a mistake and nothing more."

There were no reports of any spectators being injured.

However, the Metropolitan Police confirmed yesterday morning that they are looking into the incident: "An inquiry is being conducted by the Football Unit at Fulham police station. No-one has been arrested."

A Chelsea spokesman said: "We will deal with this in the usual way. We are aware there is an incident. But we will not discuss it further until we have seen the referee's report."

The FA could take action after examining referee Keith Stroud's report.

Drogba was booked for the incident, but in 2002, Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was sent off in an FA Cup tie against Arsenal at Highbury after throwing a coin back into the crowd, and received a three-match ban.

He was also interviewed by police but no caution was issued, although Carragher was fined by his club and warned about his future conduct.

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari said: "I have not spoken with Didier about any problem. The referee gave him a yellow card but I did not see what happened."

And Clarets chief Owen Coyle was also unaware of any incident.