Thomas Tuchel CHARGED with IMPROPER CONDUCT by the FA after Referee Comments

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association (FA), for the comments he made about referee Anthony Taylor.

The German tactician hit out at Taylor following the Blues 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspurs on Matchday Two, and he agreed with suggestions from some supporters that ‘maybe it would be better’ if Taylor did not take charge of the Stamford Bridge club’s future matches.

Announcing the charge for his comments about Taylor, an FA statement said: ‘Thomas Tuchel has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3, in relation to comments that he made after Chelsea FC’s Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur FC on Sunday 14 August 2022.

‘It is alleged that the manager’s comments in his post-match press conference constitute improper conduct as contrary to FA Rule E3.1 they imply bias and/or question the integrity of the match referee, and/or bring the game into disrepute.

‘Thomas Tuchel has until Thursday 25 August 2022 to provide a response to this charge.’

Tuchel had said it was not just some of the club’s fans who think that Taylor has made some bad decisions against the club historically, but that his players are worried when he is in control of one of their games.

Though, he insisted last week: ‘I want to make it very clear I did not attack his integrity.’ But the FA have opted to take action after reviewing his comments, with Tuchel having until Thursday to respond to the charge.

The FA’s decision comes after Tuchel was also handed a temporarily suspended one-match touchline ban and £35,000 fine by an independent regulatory commission for his post-match bust-up with Spurs boss Antonio Conte.

Tuchel has the option to appeal that punishment and his ban was suspended pending the panel’s written reasons.