The FA are to launch an investigation after Chelsea complained that Maurizio Sarri was repeatedly branded a “s*** Italian” by members of the Burnley bench.
Both clubs are also bracing themselves to be charged with failing to control their players and staff after the explosive scenes before and after the final whistle on Monday night.
The xenophobic slur is said to have been aimed at the Blues boss in the build-up to his sending off in Chelsea ’s frustrating 2-2 draw.
Chelsea staff made their feeling known to referee Kevin Friend who in turn is understood to have included the complaints in his report to the Football Association.
Friend is understood to have assured Chelsea officials that he would do so.
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Sarri was left so enraged by the alleged taunts and his subsequent stoppage time sending off time that he chose not to conduct his post-match media conference, instead seeing his assistant Gianfranco Zola.
Asked why Sarri hadn’t turned up, Zola said: “He's very frustrated. He’s been sent off. I think he's been offended as well, so he didn't feel it was the right thing to do, to speak.
“I think there will be a follow (up) on that. Maurizio felt very unhappy. We understand it's a football game. You say words because of the adrenalin, but he wasn't particularly happy.”
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Burnley’s backroom team could find themselves in big trouble if they are found to have breached FA Rule E3 (1) which prohibits ‘indecent words or behaviour’ and/or E3 (2) where an aggravated breach which ‘includes a reference to ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, religion or belief, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation or disability.’
The standard punishment is an immediate five-game suspension and a £20,000 fine.
While Burnley boss Sean Dyche stayed away from the confrontations, his assistant Ian Woan and goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer repeatedly clashed with Sarri and his staff before the final whistle in front of the tunnel and again in the Stamford Bridge tunnel.
Mercer was involved a furious verbal exchange with Chelsea coaches Paolo Bertelli and Massimo Nenci. Antonio Rudiger also waded in even though he is currently not playing because of injury.
Meanwhile Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi was set for surgery last night (Tuesday) after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon.
The 18-year-old winger is set to miss the rest of the season and to be out for several months after being taken off in the 41st minute of Monday’s game.
He tweeted soon aftewards: ”Really gutted to end my season with a ruptured Achilles, gotta work hard and try and come back stronger for next season!”
Hudson-Odoi played 24 times this term and made his England debut in March.
