Poch in fury at FA ban

of last month’s defeat at Burnley and later accepted two charges of improper conduct.

He will sit in the stands for Saturday’s return to old club Southampton and at Liverpool on March 31.

In contrast, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was only fined after confronting ref Kevin Friend following February’s draw with West Ham and later accused him of showing bias.

It was his second misconduct charge of the season after he was fined for celebrating on the pitch after the Merseyside derby.

Pochettino has never previously been charged by the FA in five years in English football.

Tottenham feel that his previous good conduct, together with the speed with which he accepted the charge together with a public apology, should have been taken into consideration when deciding the punishment.

Spurs are considering whether to launch an appeal against the severity of the sanctions.

Pochettino let slip his anger following the 1-0 Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday which booked the club’s quarter-final spot.

He said: “I’m very disappointed, but I don’t care. If we’re not going to receive help from our football people in our country, only I can laugh.”

Toby Alderweireld insists Spurs will be able to cope despite the ban.

He said: “I think we have a clear idea of how we want to play and he will show us before the game what we need to do.

“Of course he will be missed but I think it’s up to us to step up and deliver the performance he wants.”