Maurizio Sarri: Chelsea manager accepts FA fine but refuses to reveal what Burnley staff said to him during Premier League draw

Maurizio Sarri: Chelsea manager accepts FA fine but refuses to reveal what Burnley staff said to him during Premier League draw
Maurizio Sarri has accepted being hit with a fine for his actions during Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Burnley – but he refused to reveal what was said to him by a member of the Clarets’ backroom staff.The Italian must pay 8,000 as punishment for straying out of his technical area in Monday’s Premier League encounter, which was marred by unsavoury scenes involving both teams.1

Sarri was ordered down the Stamford Bridge tunnel by the matchday officials

Antonio Rudiger clashed with Burnley goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer, David Luiz squared up to Clarets midfielder Ashley Westwood, and Sarri was left angry with abuse he received from the visiting coaching staff.But now Sarri insists there was no malice in any of the abuse, and Chelsea and Burnley have spoken across the week and agreed to draw a line under the matter.The former Napoli boss refused to confirm what had been said to lead to his anger, however, after reports claimed he was repeatedly called a ‘s*** Italian’ by members of Sean Dyche’s backroom staff.“Oh in my career I made a lot of mistakes on the pitch, so I can understand very well under pressure you can say something you don’t think,” said Sarri.“And I think that it was a strong discussion but my opinion has to remain on the pitch.” The FA has opted not to investigate further any claims of abuse directed at Sarri, and both clubs have avoided any charges for failing to control their players.Sarri was relaxed about that and ready to move on, especially in light of Chelsea’s brief statement issued on Thursday.“Issues arising between both benches during Monday night’s match have been resolved between the coaches and the clubs, and a line has been drawn under the matter,” the statement readSarri said he deserved his FA fine, explaining: “The fine was because I was out of my technical area, and it was true, and so I have to pay I think.“I went there in my opinion for a good reason. But I was out and so I have to pay.”

• Chelsea post article highlighting Eden Hazard stats after PFA Team of the Year omission
• Sarri confirms Hudson-Odoi will be out for minimum three months with Achilles injury
• Sarris coaching staff convinced theyll be sacked when the season ends

Sarri also admitted Chelsea are a ‘long way’ behind Premier League pacesetters Liverpool and Manchester City.He believes the Blues must close the gap in a maximum two seasons, though his position at Stamford Bridge remains under threat.Chelsea head to Manchester United on Sunday where the winners will take a big step towards a top-four finish to secure Champions League qualification for next term.Sarri hailed Liverpool and Manchester City both closing in on 90 points as ‘incredible’ however, and insisted he wants the chance to elevate Chelsea to that level in future.“It’s incredible because Manchester City, in the last season, gained 100 points,” said Sarri. “To gain 100 points in the Premier League is really incredible, really very difficult.“In this season, two teams, I think they will finish with about 97, 96, 95 points. That’s incredible. It’s very difficult to cover the gap. Really very difficult. We need to work. We need to improve.

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...

• Sheffield United vs Ipswich (Saturday, 5:15pm) talkSPORT 2
• Brighton vs Newcastle (Saturday, 5:30pm) talkSPORT
• Norwich vs Blackburn (Saturday, 7:30pm) talkSPORT 2
• Leeds United vs Aston Villa (Sunday, 12pm) talkSPORT 2
• Coventry vs Shrewsbury (Sunday, 3pm) talkSPORT 2

“Of course, this one is the third season of (Pep) Guardiola at City, and the fifth I think of (Jurgen) Klopp at Liverpool. So it’s a long way (to go). But in one or two seasons, we have to recover the gap.“We started to try to improve. In this moment, we are not able to improve in the right way with the results. But I think we are improving.“Tactically, we are improving. Mentally, too. Because two or three months ago, at the first difficulty of a match, we were not able to fight or react.“Now my feeling is different. Now we are able to fight and react. But of course to recover the gap will be really very difficult for us, but also the other teams.”

---

The race for the EFL title is in the home stretch and two teams — Leeds and Norwich — are well ahead of the pack in the latest futures odds. The battle for promotion to the Premier League for the 2019-20 season is also in its final stages. There are three spots up for grabs, as always.
Championship promotion odds: Norwich City now favourites

---

Frank Lampard was spotted out for lunch in Knightsbridge with former Chelsea team-mate and friend Didier Drogba on Tuesday afternoon, as he closes in on the top job at Stamford Bridge.

---

Martin Glenn has resigned as chief executive of the Football Association. Glenn, who joined the FA in May 2015, will leave his role at the end of the 2018-19 season.
FA Chief Executive Martin Glenn resigns - cnbc.com

---

Keep up to date with the latest Tottenham Hotspur news, features and exclusives from football.london via our free WhatsApp service.. Text NEWS to 07776197989 and then add the number to your phone contacts book as spurs dot london (case sensitive, with spaces) to receive daily updates and breaking news from Alasdair Gold and the team on Spurs.
Sissoko, Trippier, Eriksen, Lloris, Lamela - Every Spurs

---

Manchester United host Chelsea in a huge Super Sunday clash and the club have gone above and beyond in a bid to improve the atmosphere at Old Trafford.
Manchester United vs Chelsea: Some fans call for David De Gea

---

^ "Sam Allardyce: Former England & Crystal Palace boss open to international job". 19 July 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2017 - via

---

Paul Pogba injury latest: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hopeful Manchester United midfielder will be available to face Tottenham Posted on March 1, 2019 Manchester United interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was positive about Paul Pogba's fitness ahead of Manchester United's crunch Premier League match away to Tottenham on Sunday.
~ Paul Pogba injury latest: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hopeful

---

Manchester United news: David De Gea and Paul Pogba agitating for new deals as pay cut threat looms It is believed the duo, both wanted by Real Madrid, will want increased salaries By Anton Stanley
Manchester United news: David De Gea and Paul Pogba agitating

---

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho's bottle-smashing celebration was 'totally, totally wrong', says former star Paul Parker The Portuguese has come under fire for his touchline
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho's bottle-smashing

---

Tottenham Hotspur news: Harry Kane becomes first player to score 20 goals in all competitions for Spurs in five consecutive seasons Not even the legendary Jimmy Greaves has done it! By Anton Stanley
~ Tottenham Hotspur news: Harry Kane becomes first player to

---

Liverpool midfielder James Milner is looking for Champions League redemption in Madrid next month. A year ago in Kiev Jurgen Klopp's side endured a freakish 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in which
Milner: Spectre of Kiev is driving Liverpool towards glory

---

Aston Villa 4-1 Wolves: Three second half goals see Steve Bruce's side move up to third while Cardiff edge closer to Championship leaders. Two goals in five minutes from James Chester and Lewis
The Runaway Train That is West Ham United - West Ham Till I Die

---

Manchester United Premier League fixtures 2019/20 full schedule: Chelsea in first game, plus dates for Manchester derby and Liverpool games season in charge with a mouthwatering top six clash
Premier League fixtures: When is the 2019/20 schedule

---