Tuchel BANNED for one game – but Conte escapes with hefty fine after battle of the bridge
THOMAS TUCHEL has been banned for one game after clashing with Antonio Conte in Chelsea’s recent draw with Tottenham.
Both managers were charged earlier this week with breaching FA Rule E3 and have now received their respective punishments.
Tuchel, 47, has been fined £35,000 and has received a one-game touchline ban – which has been suspended pending the publication of the Regulatory Commission’s written reason for its decision.
That means he could be in the dugout as Chelsea visit Leeds on Saturday – though could miss next week’s game against Leicester.
Meanwhile, Conte has escaped a touchline banned but has been fined £15,000 – with both manager able to appeal the FA’s decision despite admitting their conduct was “improper”.
The pair clashed twice at Stamford Bridge last Sunday – first coming face-to-face in a heated exchange after Pierre-Emerick Hojbjerg equalised for Spurs.
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Tensions were still high shortly after Harry Kane’s last-minute equaliser as the pair clashed over their full-time handshake.
Tuchel held onto Conte’s hand because he was upset the Italian failed to look into his eyes, though played down the incident in his post-match interview.
Tuchel said after the match: “I thought when we shake hands you looked in each other eyes. He had a different opinion. It was not necessary but a lot of things were not necessary.
“We both got a red card. I think it was not necessary. Another poor referee decision.
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“No problem. It’s emotional, it’s football, it’s the game, it’s the Premier League. You love it, we are emotional on the touchline.
“If we meet, we meet. It’s between a football match, it’s men (and) two competitors.”
More to follow…