The FA are to launch an investigation after Chelsea complained
that Maurizio Sarri was repeatedly branded a “s*** Italian” by members of the
Burnley bench.
Both clubs are also bracing themselves to be charged with
failing to control their players and staff after the explosive scenes before
and after the final whistle on Monday night.
The xenophobic slur
is said to have been aimed at the Blues boss in the build-up to his sending off
in Chelsea ’s frustrating 2-2 draw.
Chelsea staff made
their feeling known to referee Kevin Friend who in turn is understood to have
included the complaints in his report to the Football Association.
Friend is
understood to have assured Chelsea officials that he would do so.
Sarri was left so
enraged by the alleged taunts and his subsequent stoppage time sending off time
that he chose not to conduct his post-match media conference, instead seeing
his assistant Gianfranco Zola.
Asked why Sarri
hadn’t turned up, Zola said: “He’s very frustrated. He’s been sent off. I think
he’s been offended as well, so he didn’t feel it was the right thing to do, to
speak.
“I think there will
be a follow (up) on that. Maurizio felt very unhappy. We understand it’s a
football game. You say words because of the adrenalin, but he wasn’t
particularly happy.”
Burnley’s backroom
team could find themselves in big trouble if they are found to have breached FA
Rule E3 (1) which prohibits ‘indecent words or behaviour’ and/or E3 (2) where
an aggravated breach which ‘includes a reference to ethnic origin, colour,
race, nationality, religion or belief, gender, gender reassignment, sexual
orientation or disability.’
The standard
punishment is an immediate five-game suspension and a £20,000 fine.
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