Chelsea Coach Charged By Fa Over Mourinho Touchline Bust-Up

THE FA HAVE charged Chelsea assistant Marco Ianni with improper conduct over his actions that led to an altercation with Jose Mourinho at the end of the Blues 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Saturday.

With the Blues down deep in stoppage time, Ross Barkley’s equaliser salvaged a point for Chelsea and maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, while denying Mourinho and his side their biggest victory of the season.

Ianni celebrated the goal in front of the visitor’s bench at Stamford Bridge and Mourinho, prompting the manager to go after the assistant and leading to a scuffle between the two sides.

Stewards held Mourinho back, and multiple players and coaches from the clubs were involved in the incident.

The FA has now responded issuing a charge of improper conduct over the incident, and giving him until Thursday to respond to the charge.

Mourinho himself was not sanctioned, but was “reminded of his responsibilities” toward his conduct. Both clubs received “similar” reminders as well.

A statement from the FA, posted on Twitter, reads: “Chelsea coach Marco Ianni has been charged following the game against Manchester United on Saturday [20 October 2018]. It is alleged that his behaviour in the 96th minute constituted improper conduct. He has until 6pm on Thursday 25 October 2018 to respond to the charge.

“In relation to this incident, José Mourinho has been formally reminded of his responsibilities whilst both clubs have received similar official reminders in terms of the behaviour expected of their staff and players at all times whilst in the technical area.”

 Ianni’s behaviour previously drew a rebuke from Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri, who said he confronted his assistant over his behaviour and apologised to Mourinho.

Speaking with press after the incident, Mourinho said Ianni had spoken to him and apologised, with the Manchester United boss saying he accepted the assistant’s apology.

“After that his assistant came to me in Sarri’s office and apologised to me,” Mourinho told reporters. ”I immediately told him ’if you really feel that way and you want to apologise, of course I accept apologies and forget it because I also made lots of mistakes in my career, so I’m not going to kill because of one.’”