Chelsea’s second assistant coach Marco Ianni has been charged by the English Football Association (FA) with improper conduct following his tussle with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho during the 2-2 draw between both the sides at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
United were cruising towards victory despite going down by a goal in the first half. Antonio Rudiger put Chelsea ahead with a thumping header off a corner in the 21st minute as United struggled to put a string of passes together.
But the visitors bounced back with two Anthony Martial goals in the second half and it looked like United had enough for a victory before Chelsea substitute Ross Barkley set the stadium on a frenzy with an injury-time equaliser.
The entire stadium including the Chelsea bench celebrated the goal wildly and then is when Marco charged into the United bench area and celebrated the goal on the face of Jose Mourinho leading to a furious reaction from the Portuguese, who had to be held back by his reserve players.
Head coaches Mourinho and Maurizio Sarri later admitted that it was a mistake from the assistant and he had apologised to the United boss following the incident.
The FA though didn’t spare Marco and has charged him with improper conduct.
“In relation to this incident, Jose Mourinho has been formally reminded of his responsibilities whilst both clubs have received similar official reminders in terms of the behaviour expected of their staff and players at all times whilst in the technical area,” the FA was quoted as saying in a statement by Omnisport.
Marco had until six pm on Thursday to give his statement on the matter.
This is, however, not the first time Mourinho has been involved in such incidents on the touchline. Just last week he was charged by the FA for allegedly using abusive words in his mother tongue following United’s 3-2 victory over Newcastle United at home.
The Portuguese himself has until Wednesday to respond.
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