Ex-Premier League referee demands extended Antonio Conte ban after ‘big’ Tottenham reveal
Antonio Conte should receive more than a one-match touchline ban at Tottenham by Uefa, according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee delivered his verdict after Conte’s furious reaction to Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Sporting in the Champions League last week (26 October).
Harry Kane thought he had won the game for Spurs at the very end only for the goal to be ruled out for offside by VAR.
Conte’s outburst towards the match officials led to him being shown a red card meaning he will serve a one-match ban and watch Spurs’ game with Marseille on Tuesday (1 November) from the stands.
The 53-year-old told BT Sport after the game that he was not sure whether the same goal would have been disallowed for a “big team”.
“What Conte will have to do is, name the team but then go to the ground from the hotel separately and sit with a match delegate for the whole match,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I think that Uefa needs to re-examine his words because these guys are undermining officials going about their jobs.
“They should be setting an example and not use being a Champions League manager as an excuse to have a crack at the referees because his tactical choices have failed and his team has failed.
“I’m quite clear. I don’t want to be too draconian because you work with these guys but they’ve got to be fair and reasonable in their assessment and views.”
Tottenham are still well-placed to qualify to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
They only need to draw away to Marseille to proceed to the round of 16.
In other news, Tottenham are ready to sell a 26-year-old in January and £18million will seal the deal.