A certain NBA star and well known Chelsea supporter has defended Thomas Tuchel after a touchline ban was confirmed and has questioned Anthony Taylor and Mike Dean in the process.
Last weekend, the pair were in the spotlight for certain decisions made on and off the pitch which benefited Tottenham and went against the west Londoners. Kai Havertz, Marc Cucurella and Richarlison were all involved in the key incidents. As a result of things going against the Blues in what was a thrilling London derby in game week 2, Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte went head-to-head on the sidelines in two clashes that ultimately resulted in both being sent off after the full-time whistle.
The FA have decided to hand Tuchel a one-match ban and a fine, whilst Conte only received a fine. It was a decision that the German can live with but he still cannot contemplate Mike Dean's admission that came out in the aftermath of the whole controversy. "I will survive it," Tuchel said during his pre-match press conference, before the FA had announced theor decision.
"It is not a problem. Of course, I am prepared for it because we know about the possibility that it can happen. It is a bit harder to accept given the context that two minutes before somebody on our team got pulled by the hair. So I just made fun…if we both pulled our hair maybe we would have got away with it for a red card.
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"For a handshake, the way it was it suddenly a red card, it was after the match and it was more passion than anything else, but I accepted the charge we are waiting now for the decision. I hope like Antonio that I can be on the sideline."
He then added on Dean more specifically: "My concern is more why it takes so long. It will not change stuff, unfortunately, but the decision is more than just a bad decision. I fully understand that in 99% of decisions, we are discussing about [things like] handball or not handball. But sometimes I don’t even fully understand the rules and there are always explanations. Is there contact? is it a follow through? Is it an elbow actively or does it run into the elbow? Is it enough for a penalty or is it not enough?
"We can discuss endlessly but it is a new level of mistake. And for such an obvious and clear mistake with such an enormous consequence immediately for the outcome of a game, it was very, very hard to accept and to understand. What I cannot understand is it takes a grown-up man, a referee, from Sunday to Friday (Thursday) to admit this mistake."
Tuchel who was critical of Taylor too, was a lot more sympathetic to the referee in comparison to Dean but he does stand by the fact that he believes the PGMOL should remove him from future Chelsea fixtures.
"I was asked several times about it [Taylor's performance] and this was my answer," he said. I think it is more than just a feeling. There are some statistics that underline that we struggle to get the same results with him refereeing.
"Again, we never attacked or questioned his integrity or honour. It was about this game and I think it was in an acceptable way without being personal or falling out of line. Of course, I am passionate about this club and about my team and in moments when we fight and we play a game at the level that we played it. It kind of sucks me into the matches and I also get very passionate about it.
“I will accept it [if Taylor referees Chelsea games in the future] but I just said maybe it would be better. And I stick to my words, maybe it would be better, who knows?
"I want to make it very clear I did not attack his integrity, I did not question it. I said very, very early that the two decisions were decisions for the VAR. But I was not happy with the way he whistles the game but ok. But this is what happens. This will go to the board (independent regulatory commission) and they will decide.”
Whilst Taylor prepares for overseeing Brighton vs West Ham this Sunday whilst Dean has been given the week off in the VAR office, Tuchel has found out that he will be on the touchline for the Super Sunday clash at Elland Road, to the dismay of Leeds manager Jesse Marsch.
But a certain NBA star and Chelsea fans has questioned just why Taylor and Dean haven't been given bans, just like the Chelsea manager for their performances and antics during this heated London derby.
Josh Hart, who plays for NBA outfit Portland Trail Blazers tweeted: 'What’s Anthony Taylor and Mike Deans punishment?'
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