Kepa fined one week’s wages

CHELSEA have fined goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga one week’s wages following his refusal to be substituted in the League Cup final defeat by Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday.

Arrizabalaga appeared to be injured as he prevented City’s Sergio Aguero from scoring in the closing moments of extra time, and manager Maurizio Sarri ordered his substitution before Chelsea went on to lose the showpiece match 4-3 on penalties. But with the change already displayed to the stadium by the fourth official, and Chelsea’s reserve keeper Willy Caballero ready to come on, Kepa insisted he was fit to carry on and face the penalty shootout – to the visible anger of Sarri.

The Italian coach said after the match, which finished 0-0, that there had been a “big misunderstanding” because he thought Arrizabalaga had cramp. On Monday Arrizabalaga said he had apologised to Sarri, his teammates and the fans, while Chelsea fined him for his actions.

“The club has made a decision to fine Kepa one week’s wages and donate it to the Chelsea Foundation,” the west London club said in a statement on their official website.

Kepa and Sarri also issued statements to clarify their positions following the controversy.

“Although there was a misunderstanding, on reflection, I made a big mistake with how I handled the situation,” Kepa said. |