Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte have been charged by the Football Association after their touchline fracas during and after Chelsea and Tottenham’s draw.
The Chelsea and Spurs managers clashes twice at Stamford Bridge, leading to two melees as tensions boiled over in a feisty London derby, which saw the away side snatch a 2-2 draw.
Both managers were booked for the first bust-up, then sent off at full-time when a niggly handshake sparked further ugly scenes.
The FA confirmed on Monday evening that Tuchel and Conte now had a charge to answer.
“Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte have both been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3, following the Premier League fixture between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC on Sunday 14 August 2022,” the FA’s statement read.
“It is alleged that the behaviour of both managers was improper following the end of the fixture. Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte have until Thursday 18 August 2022 to provide their respective responses.”
It’s understood Tuchel could yet face further charges with the FA set to investigate the German’s post-match comments as he claimed ‘maybe it would be better’ for Anthony Taylor not to referee Chelsea again, with the Blues boss incensed that both of Spurs’ goals stood.
Kalidou Koulibaly volleyed home Marc Cucurella’s corner, before Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg hit back for Spurs.
Reece James fired home to put Chelsea back in front in the closing stages, only for Kane to nod home in the sixth minute of second-half added time.
Tuchel lamented both Spurs’ goals being allowed to stand, claiming Richarlison was offside for Hojbjerg’s effort.
The Blues were then left furious that Cristian Romero was not punished for pulling Cucurella’s hair, with a VAR check ruling out a red card but then not imposing any sanction.
More than 90,000 people have signed an online petition demanding Taylor be blocked from refereeing Chelsea again.
Chelsea supporters have long claimed an agenda from Taylor against them, and Tuchel did not dampen those flames when speaking after Sunday’s tetchy but compelling draw.
Asked if he thinks Taylor should not referee Chelsea again, Tuchel replied on Sunday: “Maybe it would be better, maybe it would be better.
“But honestly we also have VAR to help make the right decisions.
“Since when can players have their hair pulled, since when is that? And if he does not see it, I don’t blame him – I didn’t see it.
“But we have people at VAR who check this, and then you see it. And then what? And how can this not be a free-kick, and then a red card? How?
“This does not even have to do with the referee in this case. If he does not see something that’s why we have people to check if this is a decisive error or not.”
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