Maurizio Sarri: Chelsea manager accepts FA fine but refuses to reveal what Burnley staff said to him during Premier League draw

Maurizio Sarri: Chelsea manager accepts FA fine but refuses to reveal what Burnley staff said to him during Premier League draw
Maurizio Sarri has accepted being hit with a fine for his actions during Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Burnley – but he refused to reveal what was said to him by a member of the Clarets’ backroom staff.The Italian must pay 8,000 as punishment for straying out of his technical area in Monday’s Premier League encounter, which was marred by unsavoury scenes involving both teams.1

Sarri was ordered down the Stamford Bridge tunnel by the matchday officials

Antonio Rudiger clashed with Burnley goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer, David Luiz squared up to Clarets midfielder Ashley Westwood, and Sarri was left angry with abuse he received from the visiting coaching staff.But now Sarri insists there was no malice in any of the abuse, and Chelsea and Burnley have spoken across the week and agreed to draw a line under the matter.The former Napoli boss refused to confirm what had been said to lead to his anger, however, after reports claimed he was repeatedly called a ‘s*** Italian’ by members of Sean Dyche’s backroom staff.“Oh in my career I made a lot of mistakes on the pitch, so I can understand very well under pressure you can say something you don’t think,” said Sarri.“And I think that it was a strong discussion but my opinion has to remain on the pitch.” The FA has opted not to investigate further any claims of abuse directed at Sarri, and both clubs have avoided any charges for failing to control their players.Sarri was relaxed about that and ready to move on, especially in light of Chelsea’s brief statement issued on Thursday.“Issues arising between both benches during Monday night’s match have been resolved between the coaches and the clubs, and a line has been drawn under the matter,” the statement readSarri said he deserved his FA fine, explaining: “The fine was because I was out of my technical area, and it was true, and so I have to pay I think.“I went there in my opinion for a good reason. But I was out and so I have to pay.”

• Chelsea post article highlighting Eden Hazard stats after PFA Team of the Year omission
• Sarri confirms Hudson-Odoi will be out for minimum three months with Achilles injury
• Sarris coaching staff convinced theyll be sacked when the season ends

Sarri also admitted Chelsea are a ‘long way’ behind Premier League pacesetters Liverpool and Manchester City.He believes the Blues must close the gap in a maximum two seasons, though his position at Stamford Bridge remains under threat.Chelsea head to Manchester United on Sunday where the winners will take a big step towards a top-four finish to secure Champions League qualification for next term.Sarri hailed Liverpool and Manchester City both closing in on 90 points as ‘incredible’ however, and insisted he wants the chance to elevate Chelsea to that level in future.“It’s incredible because Manchester City, in the last season, gained 100 points,” said Sarri. “To gain 100 points in the Premier League is really incredible, really very difficult.“In this season, two teams, I think they will finish with about 97, 96, 95 points. That’s incredible. It’s very difficult to cover the gap. Really very difficult. We need to work. We need to improve.

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...

• Sheffield United vs Ipswich (Saturday, 5:15pm) talkSPORT 2
• Brighton vs Newcastle (Saturday, 5:30pm) talkSPORT
• Norwich vs Blackburn (Saturday, 7:30pm) talkSPORT 2
• Leeds United vs Aston Villa (Sunday, 12pm) talkSPORT 2
• Coventry vs Shrewsbury (Sunday, 3pm) talkSPORT 2

“Of course, this one is the third season of (Pep) Guardiola at City, and the fifth I think of (Jurgen) Klopp at Liverpool. So it’s a long way (to go). But in one or two seasons, we have to recover the gap.“We started to try to improve. In this moment, we are not able to improve in the right way with the results. But I think we are improving.“Tactically, we are improving. Mentally, too. Because two or three months ago, at the first difficulty of a match, we were not able to fight or react.“Now my feeling is different. Now we are able to fight and react. But of course to recover the gap will be really very difficult for us, but also the other teams.”

---

Liverpool have made another key addition to Jurgen Klopp's backroom staff, according to an exclusive report from Training Ground Guru.. TGG report that Manchester City's Head Physiotherapist Lee Nobes has left the Premier League champions to take up a role with Liverpool.
Man City head physio Lee Nobes quitting to join title rivals

---

Rangers transfer latest: Steven Gerrard discusses Ravel Morrison and Adam Lallana rumours Steven Gerrard has rubbished reports that Rangers are lining up moves for Adam Lallana and Ravel Morrison. Liverpool midfielder Lallana has endured an injury-ravaged couple of seasons, starting just five games in all competitions since the summer of 2017.
Steven Gerrard responds to Rangers rumours over Adam Lallana

---

Chelsea news: Maurizio Sarri wants 'leaders' David Luiz and Cesc Fabregas to remain and sign new contracts The manager is desperate for the duo to stay and said he has already spoken to the
Sarri wants new contracts for 'leaders' David Luiz and Cesc

---

Chelsea fans have lost patience with David Luiz after his gaffe allowed Luka Jovic to score (Pic: GETTY/ BT SPORT) And the forward reaches the ball first, controlling it for Mijat Gaćinović. Chelsea's defender comes forward to attack the ball - but it proves to be a massive mistake.
Chelsea defender David Luiz heavily criticised after woeful

---

Gonzalo Higuain is a great signing for Chelsea but Tottenham

---

Chelsea secured comfortable progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Gonzalo Higuain's debut.. Maurizio Sarri named the striker, who signed on loan from
Gonzalo Higuain makes debut and Callum Hudson-Odoi starts

---

An angry Chelsea fan on talkSPORT has demanded that the club sack Maurizio Sarri, comparing the Italian to former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.. We should have predicted that Chelsea fans would overreact to a few negative results in this manner.
Angry Chelsea fan tells talkSPORT: 'You can't blame Eden

---

Christchurch shooting victims to be remembered before England

---

Tables Teams COMFORT How the Premier League table would look based on every club's home form in the last eight games. Which English top-flight sides having been doing the best on their own patch
How the Premier League table would look based on every club's

---

Liverpool vs Porto: Reds coach Pepijn Lijnders explains why only club who would have wanted to draw Liverpool about 1 hour ago 'Arsenal wouldn't scare me and I'm a jockey!'
Assistant referee proposes to fellow assistant before match

---

Goal summarises the biggest transfer talk involving Arsenal following a summer in which they held on to Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez Arsenal transfer news: The latest & LIVE player rumours from

---

Arsenal suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of BATE Borisov in the first leg of their Europa League last 32 tie.. Stanislav Dragun headed the hosts in front just before half time to stun Unai Emery
Martin Keown slams Arsenal after Europa League defeat by BATE

---

England fans buzzing for the future as Jadon Sancho and Trent

---

Massimiliano Allegri will 'not be rushed' into next job after leaving Juventus amid Chelsea and Bayern Munich links Massimiliano Allegri is in no rush to return to management and is considering taking time off from football. Allegri is leaving Juventus after a trophy-laden talkSPORT 1 week ago Also reported by •SoccerNews.com •Sify
Allegri is in no rush to find a new job after leaving Juventus

---