Sarri Fined for Misconduct at Burnley Match

Chelsea boss, Maurizio Sarri, has been fined £8 000 by the Football Association (FA) for misconduct during his team’s draw against Burnley on Monday, 22 April.

Sarri – who admitted to the misconduct charge – was sent to the stands at Stamford Bridge by referee Kevin Friend, after he attempted to intervene in an altercation between Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic and a number of Burnley’s players.

Tempers ran high throughout the game, both on and off the pitch. Earlier in the match, on the touchline, Sarri appeared to sarcastically applaud the other bench for perceived time-wasting tactics, after Ashley Westwood went down with cramp.

Near the end of the match, tensions boiled over and a full blown scuffle broke out between the two benches.

However, the FA has said that it will take no further action against either team.

In a post-match interview, Gianfranco Zola, the Blues’ assistant manager, said: “[Sarri] was really unhappy with a couple of situations on the pitch [and] with why he’s been sent off, he just went down the line to tell the players to get on with the game. He’s been misunderstood by [Friend].”

However, Chelsea and Burnley have since issued a joint statement on the matter, saying: “Issues arising between both benches during Monday night’s match have been resolved between the coaches and clubs, and a line has been drawn under the matter.”