The Italian is against the idea of the FA imposing a points deduction on the Blues following Manchester City brawl
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte believes it would be unfair for the FA to impose a points deduction on his high-flying Blues side following unsavoury incidents last weekend at Manchester City.
All 22 players, plus substitutes and coaching staff from both sides were involved in a brawl late on in the title contenders’ Premier League meeting which saw the Blues come out 3-1 winners at the Etihad.
Fernandinho was sent off for grabbing Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas by the neck, while star striker Sergio Aguero was also dismissed for City after an ugly challenge on David Luiz – the latter suspended for four games.
However, none of the Blues’ players were dismissed and Conte would be unforgiving if the governing body decided to impose a points deduction – despite it being the fifth time disciplinary action has had to be taken against the club in 19 months.
“Are you joking? he said. “If you’re involved in a situation and the fault is not yours, you must pay? Why? I don’t understand.” said Conte.
“At the end of the game, my players tried to keep their calm. We are trying to improve in all aspects, including this. That is why I say you must be joking. You must be honest and understand which team is at fault.
“We had a bad record in the past but now we are different. In every game, you fight during the 90 minutes but when the referee whistles, it’s finished. After that game you could see very clearly that my players tried to keep their calm.”
Chelsea were handed a written warning by the FA following last season’s ugly incidents that occurred in their London derby with Tottenham, in which they told any such incidents in the future could be hit harder with a points-related penalty.
Conte’s men currently lead the Premier League by three points after Sunday’s narrow 1-0 home win over West Brom put them top of the pack once again, above Arsenal.
