CHELSEA STUNNED BY PORTO’S ATTEMPTS TO STIR UP TROUBLE

CHELSEA were shocked by the conduct of Porto’s players and staff during the Champions League quarter-final in Seville on Tuesday night. The Blues, who lost the game 1-0 but went through 2-1 on aggregate, deny accusations that their head coach Thomas Tuchel told his opposite number Sergio Conceicao to ‘f*** off’. The managers clashed after the final whistle, which was followed by a mass confrontation between members of both teams as tempers flared. Chelsea sources claim Conceicao was intent on antagonising their bench from the early stages and put pressure on the officials throughout the game. Porto’s players are said to have used particularly foul language towards the Chelsea team. After the final whistle, Tuchel clashed with Conceicao before Porto defender Pepe intervened. Chelsea players Edouard Mendy and Antonio Rudiger were also involved in altercations with the opposition. Speaking after the game, Conceicao said that he had been goaded by Tuchel, adding: ‘I was insulted by this man who is next door. I told the referee that the fourth official heard the insults.’ A Chelsea spokesman responded: ‘This allegation is complete nonsense.’ UEFA could look into the events, though it is unlikely Chelsea will make a complaint.