CHELSEA BOSS IN RACE STORM

Chelsea boss accuses Burnley of calling him a s*** Italian

MAURIZIO Sarri has accused Burnley’s coaching staff of shouting ‘ s*** Italian’ at him repeatedly during a game marred by touchline scuffles and the dismissal of the Chelsea manager.

Sarri was sent off by referee Kevin Friend during the closing moments of Monday’s 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge after leaving his technical area to dispute a decision.

His dismissal sparked skirmishes and confrontations between coaches on the rival benches which recurred at the final whistle when Burnley’s goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer featured heavily.

Chelsea lodged a complaint about what they considered to be a racial slur immediately after the game and it was expected to be included in the referee’s report which was yesterday being studied by the Football Association before they decided upon possible disciplinary proceedings.

Chelsea have ruled out contacting police over the matter.

The FA considers an ‘aggravated breach’ of their disrepute rules to be one which includes reference ‘whether expressed or implied’ to ‘ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, religion or belief, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation or disability’. Such an offence carries an immediate ban of at least five games.

However, understands Burnley are awaiting copies of the referee’s report and CCTV footage before considering their position — which could result in a counter claim.

Sarri was agitated about what he thought was a physical approach from the visitors and what he saw as their time-wasting tactics. Goalkeeper Tom Heaton was booked for taking too long over a goal-kick in the 31st minute, and players including Ashley Westwood were dropping with cramp in the closing stages.

Sarri was seen exchanging angry words and jabbing a finger towards the Burnley bench, including assistant manager Ian Woan and goalie coach Mercer.

Centre-half Antonio rudiger, who missed the game with a knee injury, also took issue with Mercer — joining in the scuffles which erupted at the final whistle and had to be restrained by stewards. No punches were thrown but plenty of insults did hit the target and Chelsea were furious about what they saw as a deliberate attempt to wind-up Sarri.

‘Maurizio felt very unhappy,’ said zola. ‘ He’s very frustrated. We understand it’s a football game. You say words because of the adrenaline, but he wasn’t particularly happy.’

Dyche dismissed the scuffles as ‘handbags, bumbags, manbags’.