Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has been charged with improper conduct for his post-match row with Mike Dean after Tottenham’s defeat at Burnley.
The Football Association has issued the Argentine with two breaches of FA Rule E3 after he fronted-up to the referee on the pitch following a 2-1 loss at Turf Moor.
He has until 6pm on Thursday to respond, so is almost certain to be in the dugout for Wednesday’s clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge – a fixture from which Dean was removed from fourth-official duty on Monday.
But if found guilty, Pochettino could be given a touchline ban, with Spurs to face Arsenal at Wembley in the North London derby on Saturday.
Both Pochettino and his assistant Jesus Perez were incensed at Dean after something he apparently said as they walked away from an initial confrontation, which appeared amicable, in the Burnley centre-circle.
Pochettino appeared to repeat “what did you say?” – and angrily confronted Dean and his officials, while Perez could be seen pointing his finger towards Dean’s face and appearing to shout “you can’t say that!”
All those involved refused to disclose what was said when asked to comment by Sky Sports, but the Tottenham boss admitted he had made a mistake and would take whatever FA punishment comes his way.
“I am going to accept everything that can happen from the FA. But what happened on the pitch I hope is not going further,” he told Sky Sports.
Pochettino believed the Burnley result to be pivotal to their title-chase and admitted the emotion of losing “such an important game” had got to him at the final whistle.
(Sky Sports)
