Ancelotti fined for clash with referee
Carlo Ancelotti, the Everton manager, has accepted a Football Association charge of misconduct but escaped a touchline ban.
Ancelotti informed the governing body he accepted the allegation of improper behaviour at the conclusion of Sunday’s draw with Manchester United. The Italian was fined £8,000 rather than banned, after becoming the first Premier League manager to be shown a red card since the introduction of new powers for match officials.
It means the former Chelsea coach can take his place in the technical area when he returns to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Ancelotti was given until yesterday to respond. It was acknowledged he had little chance of winning an appeal after walking on to the pitch at the end of the 1-1 draw. He could have requested a personal hearing to contest the charge, which would have delayed punishment for a further 10 days.
Ancelotti was accused of breaching FA Rule E3 following his disagreement with referee Chris Kavanagh and his officials.
He was livid when an injury-time own goal by Harry Maguire was ruled out after consultation with the video assistant referee. Gylfi Sigurdsson was judged to be in an offside position to distract goalkeeper David de Gea.
Dominic Calvert-lewin, meanwhile, is set to sign a five-year contract as a reward for the form which has put him on the brink of an England call-up.
The striker has been a prominent figure in Everton’s improvement since Ancelotti’s appointment and, before that, during Duncan Ferguson’s caretaker stint. He has formed an encouraging strike partnership with Richarlison, who also recently committed his long-term future to Goodison Park.
Calvert-lewin, 22, has been at Everton for four years after signing from Sheffield United. He has 15 goals this season as the club’s top scorer and was watched by Gareth Southgate, the England coach, last weekend. With Harry Kane absent, there is a strong chance Calvertlewin will be included in forthcoming international friendlies.
Talks about his Everton deal have been ongoing but Calvertlewin is ready to commit as Ancelotti
continues to build a squad around his young talent.
There is less encouraging news for another Everton striker, as Cenk Tosun has been forced to end his loan spell at Crystal Palace because of a serious knee injury. He is to undergo surgery to repair cruciate ligaments.
Ancelotti wants Leighton Baines to prolong his Everton career for another season. The 35-year-old defender has been outstanding in recent weeks, stepping in for the injured Lucas Digne.
“Our idea, the idea of the club, is, ‘Don’t stop playing, stay with us for the next year’,” Ancelotti said. “It would be good for us if he can stay. Physically, he has no problem. It depends on what he is thinking.”