Chelsea will accept FA’s punishment for Ianni’s outburst – Sarri
Maurizio Sarri has insisted Chelsea will “accept the consequences” of Marco Ianni’s improper conduct charge from the Football Association but insisted the assistant coach deserves “another opportunity”.
Blues backroom staff member Ianni goaded Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho on the Stamford Bridge touchline in Saturday’s 2-2 Premier League draw.
Chelsea manager Sarri admitted he does not know what punishment Ianni could face, but promised the club would accept any sanction.
Former United defender Phil Neville is among those to have suggested Ianni should lose his job over the incident.
But Sarri pledged to hand coach Ianni a shot at redemption, while also reiterating his apology to Manchester United and Mourinho.
“First of all as I said after the match, we were wrong,” said Sarri. “I was there when Marco spoke to Mr Mourinho.
“He said sorry immediately and it was really very important I think that he realised he was wrong.
“And so I think that I want to give him another opportunity. Because I know very well the man, I know very well that he was really sorry.
“And he realised the mistake, everybody I think can make a mistake.
“But you need to learn from the mistake. And so I think he will be able to do this. I know very well the man, so I am sure.
“For the FA I don’t know, I haven’t experienced that here.
“I don’t know the consequences, but we were wrong so we have to accept the consequences.”
Asked what punishment Chelsea would impose internally, Sarri replied: “I don’t know. If I want to give him another opportunity, the opportunity will be a full opportunity.
“But I don’t know. I want to respect the decision of the FA and then we will decide.
“I think everybody has to learn from their mistakes.
“I think that now like a man I am better than when I was 35.
“Otherwise I am a stupid man, if I am not able to learn from my mistakes I think that I am stupid.”
