THOMAS TUCHEL claims he is a victim of FA double standards over his one-match touchline ban for improper conduct.
The FA confirmed last night that the Chelsea manager must watch today’s home clash with Leicester from the stands, as punishment for a shocking bust-up with Tottenham’s Antonio Conte.
But Tuchel’s rival escaped with just a £15,000 fine — and will be in the dugout at Nottingham Forest tomorrow.
Tuchel said: “My understanding was that we both had our impact in this situation and both got sent off. I understand that I get a ban, I get a fine.
“What I don’t understand is that the other coach does not get the same punishment.”
Tuchel accused Conte of disrespect — by not looking him in the eye as they shook hands at full-time.
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Both were sent off by referee Anthony Taylor.
The German challenged the disciplinary panel’s findings but that was rejected by an FA appeal board, who deemed him the aggressor.
That showdown was the climax to an explosive match in which Chelsea twice blew the lead to draw 2-2 against one of their fiercest rivals.
Tuchel was fined £35,000 in addition to being forced to take a back seat at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.
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But the Blues boss says he has already sourced the best spot from which to direct the team from a distance. He said: “I will squeeze into a seat in the stand.
“We have figured out where I will be. It will be above the dugout on the first level. But still close to the changing rooms.
“The distance to the pitch will also help me to be a bit more distant emotionally.”
VAR on the day Mike Dean later admitted he failed to act on a hair pull by Cristian Romero on Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella in the build-up to Tottenham’s second equaliser.
Tuchel said: “What’s hard to accept is the context. I don’t think I started the aggression, it started earlier.
“I don’t think I was the only person involved — we both got a red card.
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“A player pulled another player by the hair. He can play on, he is not banned.
“For a firm handshake at the end of the match, one coach is banned.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
