Ex-Fifa official ‘surprised’ after Antonio Conte ban news at Tottenham
Keith Hackett has admitted he was “surprised” Antonio Conte did not receive a touchline ban for his role in the scenes after Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham earlier this month (14 August).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee suggested Thomas Tuchel’s previous record may be the reason why only he was given a ban.
The FA confirmed last week (26 August) that Tuchel had to watch his side’s eventual 2-1 win over Leicester City at the weekend (27 August) from the stands.
He returned to the dugout for the 2-1 loss to Southampton on Tuesday (30 August) while Conte was on the sidelines for both of his side’s games.
As quoted by the Guardian last week (26 August), Tuchel admitted it was “hard to accept” he had received a ban while his Spurs counterpart had not.
“I was surprised,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“There is a step process that operates by the FA so we don’t know whether Thomas Tuchel has received a warning previously by the FA.
“It could well be that the FA gave Conte a warning and took into account the previous record of Tuchel to make that decision.
“I thought Tuchel was a bit the aggressor so it may be they’ve checked him because he was running down the pitch and all that.
“Ultimately, at the end of the day, both of them should’ve been sat off one match so I’m not disagreeing with Tuchel and the point he’s making, I think he’s got a valid point.
“But I do understand why one may have got it and the other didn’t, their previous record.”
In other news, an expert has revealed Tottenham will make two last-gasp signings after a Sky update.