Antonio Conte will 'accept' and 'respect' FA decision - but is not expecting a touchline ban
- Planet Sport writer
- 18 August 2022
Antonio Conte has said he and Thomas Tuchel “must accept” any punishment doled out by the Football Association following their fiery clash - but the Italian is expecting to avoid a touchline ban.
Tottenham head coach Conte remains hopeful that he will be in the dugout for the visit of Wolves on Saturday despite being sent off at the end of a fiery London derby against his former club last weekend.
He and Chelsea boss Tuchel argued as Conte celebrated Tottenham's first equaliser in the 2-2 draw, then clashed again at full-time following Harry Kane's added-time goal earned the visitors a share of the spoils.
The two managers were hit with an FA charge on Monday and have until Thursday evening to either accept or appeal.
Conte seemed to hint he would accept the charge when asked about it earlier on Thursday: "I see that the FA made us, both coaches, a more soft charge, no? And we have to accept.
"We have to accept and have respect for every decision. But I think sometimes this type of situation can happen. It's not the first time, it won't be the last time that two coaches are not in the right way or do not agree.
"But the most important thing is we have to move on, to have respect for each other. And for me, the situation finishes there."
Unlike when a player is sent off, Conte and Tuchel will not necessarily receive a ban - even if they accept their respective charges.
When asked if was expecting to be on the touchline against Wolves, Conte replied that he was confident he will escape a ban: "I hope so. I think that it's right.
"It's right to stay in my place. Then I repeat for sure after this type of situation you can learn a lot but at the same time I think that for many situations I was really good to keep calm and don't have an excessive reaction in the situation."
Chelsea to take 'strongest action'
Chelsea, meanwhile, have pledged to take the "strongest action" after an alleged racist incident against Son Heung-min in the 2-2 draw.
South Korea forward Son is alleged to have been racially abused by a member of the crowd at Stamford Bridge in Sunday's top-flight clash.
Chelsea have previously handed out life bans to supporters found guilty of racial abuse at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues took their latest initiative in the long-running No To Hate campaign before Sunday's Spurs clash, taking steps to make it easier for spectators to report alleged abuses.
The back of every seat at Stamford Bridge now has instructions on how to report incidents of abuse, either by text or by barcode on a smartphone.
Chelsea believe that identifying a specific seat from which incidents either happen or are reported will help increase the chances of individuals being caught.
"Chelsea Football Club finds any form of discriminatory behaviour totally abhorrent. It has no place at Chelsea or in any of our communities," read a Chelsea statement.
"Chelsea FC has consistently made its zero tolerance position on discriminatory behaviour very clear, yet there are still idiots like this that attach themselves to this club as so called 'fans', which shames Chelsea FC, our coaches, players, staff and our true supporters.
"We are investigating this incident and, if identified, this individual will face the strongest action from the club."
