Thomas Tuchel is facing a lengthy ban after his call for referee Anthony Taylor not to referee any more Chelsea games.
The Blues boss hit out after Sunday’s explosive 2-2 draw with Spurs at Stamford Bridge. But while he and Antonio Conte were both shown straight red cards after the final whistle flashpoint, it was Tuchel who took aim at Taylor in his post-match press conference.
The Football Association began their investigation into the remarks on Monday morning. They have also taken a dim view of an online petition from fans calling for 43-year-old Taylor not to be given any more Chelsea games. Asked whether he agreed with the petition, Tuchel said on Sunday: “Maybe that would be better. Maybe it would be better but we also have VAR to help make the right decisions.”
Tuchel has widespread sympathy for the officials’ refusal to send off Cristian Romero for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair in the box late in the game. But there is also a view that Tuchel was fortunate to escape a second yellow card himself for running down the touchline to celebrate Chelsea’s second goal.
The FA will not be taking any action over the hair pull as it was seen by both Taylor and VAR Mike Dean with neither taking any action. But they are sifting through TV footage from Sky Sports as well as stadium and any witness footage in a bid to get to the bottom of the two flashpoint on the touchline between Tuchel and Conte. It is believed most of the other staff involved were peacemakers rather than troublemakers but the FA are working to sift between the two.
The governing body is expected to make a decision on who to charge within the next 24 hours. The individuals will have a chance to enter a defence before appearing in front of a panel who will decide their fate. Tuchel’s men have away trips to Leeds and Southampton coming up, either side of a home game against Leicester. Conte’s Spurs host Wolves on Saturday before trips to Forest and West Ham.
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Reflecting on his side suffering a late Harry Kane equaliser, Tuchel was relatively phlegmatic. He said: "Yes, but it happens. It happens during the life a football coach and a team. In football, and as players, you sometimes get caught in the last minute and we will hopefully have it in the season that we will steal some points and be decisive. This can happen.
"But it can’t happen when we have VAR at this kind of level. It can’t happen that goals are allowed that are simply irregular goals. This is the frustration and it’s unacceptable. I think we know what we did, the players know the input they put into the game mentally and physically. We were so sharp, fully on, and played a brilliant match. What a step up for us from the first game against Everton. I’m disappointed for the players that they don’t get the reward. It’s actually down to incredible decisions."
