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Football

31st Oct 2018

Marco Ianni fined for provocative celebration in front of José Mourinho

Ianni caused a fracas at Stamford Bridge last week

Darragh Murphy

Marco Ianni has been fined £6,000 by the Football Association for provoking Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho during a Premier League game with Chelsea last week

Ianni, who is Maurizio Sarri’s second assistant coach, celebrated Ross Barkley’s late equaliser directly in front of Mourinho and brought a chaotic end to the match, which finished 2-2.

The FA charged Ianni with improper conduct and both Chelsea and United were reminded of their responsibilities in terms of their behaviour.

And on Tuesday, Ianni learned his fate after accepting his charge.

A statement read: “Chelsea coach Marco Ianni has been fined £6,000 after he admitted an FA improper conduct charge. It concerned his behaviour in the 96th minute of the game against Manchester United on 20 October 2018.”

Mourinho, although incensed at the time, immediately accepted Ianni’s apology after the full-time whistle.

“I am not annoyed with anything. What happened was with Sarri’s assistant, and Sarri was the first one to come to me to say he would resolve the problem internally with me. After that his assistant came to me in Sarri’s office and apologised to me,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.

“I immediately said if you really feel that way, and you want to apologise, of course I accept apologies, and to forget it because I made lots of mistakes in my career. So I’m not going to kill you because of one.

“Forget it, it’s over, he apologised and it’s over.”