IT’S A CONSPIRACY!
You’re not treating us fairly over lunchtime starts, fumes Conte
ANTONIO CONTE has unleashed another ferocious attack on the Premier League’s fixture schedulers accusing them of a conspiracy against Chelsea.
Conte said today’s lunchtime game at home to Newcastle is the fourth time this season his team has been hit with less preparation time than their opponents.
He has demanded ‘more respect’ and Chelsea have presented their manager’s case to the league.
‘Honestly, it is very difficult to think this is a coincidence,’ fumed Conte. ‘Once it can happen. Twice it can happen. Then you start to be perplexed. The Qarabag situation was incredible. And I must be honest, it has happened again. Newcastle played on Tuesday, we played on Wednesday and now we play on Saturday at 12.30.
‘It is a strange coincidence. Only 14 games and it has happened four times. I don’t want advantages. I want the same rest as our opponents. Is it difficult to do this? I don’t think so.
‘I want respect for my job, for my club, for the players, for the fans. I’m not stupid, if someone wants to joke with me I am not the right person to joke with.’
The four games on Conte’s mind were: Manchester City on Saturday September 30 after a Wednesday game at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League; Watford at home on Saturday October 21 after playing Roma on Wednesday and at Liverpool last Saturday after a 5,000-mile round-trip to play Qarabag in Azerbaijan.
This week, Newcastle played at West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday and Chelsea were at home against Swansea on Wednesday.
Next week, Conte’s team will play in Europe against Atletico Madrid before another lunchtime kick-off at West Ham, who have no midweek fixture.
‘Every team can have this situation,’ he added. ‘I don’t know but, from the start of the season, I see only Chelsea. I spoke with my club and I hope they do something about the situation. I am trying to protect my club, my players, my fans and maybe the Premier League.’
Conte will not contest an FA charge for his touchline dismissal after a verbal outburst at fourth official Lee Mason during the 1-0 win against Swansea.
He will accept a fine of £8,000 but added his voice to those such as City boss Pep Guardiola and Tottenham’s Eric Dier, who have been critical of time-wasting.
‘The referee took this decision, I have to respect it and pay this fine,’ said Conte. ‘In future I will try to avoid saying these things.
‘I also want the referee to learn something because Swansea were wasting time and the referee has to protect the team that wants to play football and win the game.’