I DIDN’T DISRESPECT REF, CLAIMS CARLO
CARLO ANCELOTTI insisted he did not disrespect Chris Kavanagh when he was sent off for remonstrating with the referee after the final whistle. Everton’s manager could face a touchline ban when he returns to Chelsea next week due to the remarkable scenes at the end of a 1-1 draw with Manchester United that many felt his side should have won. Dominic Calvert-Lewin had a goal chalked off after it was adjudged that an offside Gylfi Sigurdsson was in David de Gea’s vision but Ancelotti was incredulous about the VAR decision and marched on to the pitch at the end to confront Kavanagh. Television cameras picked up
Ancelotti saying: ‘I stay here! I stay here! I want an explanation!’ Kavanagh refused to enter into discussions and, instead, brandished a red card. The FA will now wait for the official’s report before deciding what action to take. ‘I asked for an explanation after the game,’ said Ancelotti. ‘There was a misunderstanding on the pitch — he sent me off. After that I spoke with him calmly in the dressing room. I want to keep the conversation private and he will make a report for the referee. ‘I didn’t disrespect him. But I understand the end of the game was really exciting. It can happen but we will see if I am banned. It was a difficult decision (for the disallowed goal). They checked the position of Gylfi, it was offside but in our opinion it didn’t affect the vision of the goalkeeper. In their opinion it did.’ Asked whether he had been sent off before, Ancelotti raised an eyebrow as only he can and said with a telling smile: ‘It is not the first time and it will not be the last! ‘I never disrespect. It can happen. At the end of the game I was a little bit nervous and maybe the referee was also. At the end of the game we spoke friendly. If I am banned, I will be disappointed. ‘But the stand at Stamford Bridge is near the dugout, so I will not be too far away!’ Jordan Pickford was at fault for United’s equaliser, allowing the ball to dip under his dive. It was the second mistake he has made in a month with England head coach Gareth Southgate at Goodison Park. ‘I will speak with him about what he has to do when he has the ball,’ said Ancelotti. ‘The build-up is important. Sometimes we can build up from the back. In my opinion that has to be better. After that the goalkeeper has to save.’