Mirror
Thomas Tuchel is facing a lengthy ban after his call for referee Anthony Taylor not to referee any more Chelsea games.
The Blues boss hit out after Sunday’s explosive 2-2 draw with Spurs at Stamford Bridge. But while he and Antonio Conte were both shown straight red cards after the final whistle flashpoint, it was Tuchel who took aim at Taylor in his post-match press conference.
The Football Association began their investigation into the remarks on Monday morning. They have also taken a dim view of an online petition from fans calling for 43-year-old Taylor not to be given any more Chelsea games. Asked whether he agreed with the petition, Tuchel said on Sunday: “Maybe that would be better. Maybe it would be better but we also have VAR to help make the right decisions.”
Tuchel has widespread sympathy for the officials’ refusal to send off Cristian Romero for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair in the box late in the game. But there is also a view that Tuchel was fortunate to escape a second yellow card himself for running down the touchline to celebrate Chelsea’s second goal.
The FA will not be taking any action over the hair pull as it was seen by both Taylor and VAR Mike Dean with neither taking any action. But they are sifting through TV footage from Sky Sports as well as stadium and any witness footage in a bid to get to the bottom of the two flashpoint on the touchline between Tuchel and Conte. It is believed most of the other staff involved were peacemakers rather than troublemakers but the FA are working to sift between the two.
The governing body is expected to make a decision on who to charge within the next 24 hours. The individuals will have a chance to enter a defence…
