David Luiz blasts Burnley’s ‘anti-football', Chelsea to lodge complaint Maurizio Sarri 'offended'
ByPA Sport
Updated 23/04/2019 at 09:01 GMT
David Luiz was critical of Burnley’s “anti-football” approach as Chelsea confirmed they are likely to lodge a format complaint with the FA after Burnley’s backroom staff “offended” Maurizio Sarri in Monday’s 2-2 Premier League draw at Stamford Bridge.
David Luiz (Chelsea)
Image credit: Getty Images
Chelsea moved up to fourth in the Premier League, but failed to take full advantage of weekend defeats to Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United.
Frustrations boiled over with Burnley’s time-wasting tactics as Sean Dyche’s side moved on to 40 points to all but guarantee safety.
Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton was booked for time-wasting in the first half at Stamford Bridge.
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Ashley Barnes and Burnley team mates shake hands during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Burnley FC at Stamford Bridge on April 22, 2019 in London, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
"We tried everything to win the game, but it's difficult playing a team who has two chances, score two goals, but didn't want to play the game,” Luiz told Sky Sports.
"For me, the authority on the pitch is the referee, and when he is not there to try to check what he has to do on the pitch, it's difficult.
They were trying to time waste from the first minute of the first half, and then it was anti-football so it's difficult to play against.
Head coach Sarri was sent to the stands and then refused to address the media after the Blues slipped to a frustrating draw.
Both Chelsea and Burnley can expect FA sanction however, with Antonio Rudiger clashing with Burnley goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer and David Luiz squaring up to Ashley Westwood.
Blues coach Sarri could wind up with a touchline ban, though his assistant Gianfranco Zola reported his boss was in an angry state.
Asked if Chelsea will contact the FA over Sarri’s frustrations, Zola said: “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 adrenaline, but he wasn’t particularly happy.
“If Maurizio said that, probably it’s something that could have been avoided.”
Explaining why he attended the press conference and not Sarri, Zola continued: “The reason is he’s very frustrated, so he’d prefer not to come over here.
“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 to you.
“I know you wanted him, so I’m sorry. But you can understand: he’s frustrated at the game, frustrated at being sent off, and the other thing. He’d prefer not to come in.
“I think he’s been told something from their bench, but don’t ask me what; I don’t want to go down that line. We’ll see what we can do about that.
“It’s a football game, and it’s normal that there is a lot of passion in it.
“We felt very unhappy, and also that Maurizio has been sent off while he was just trying to tell our players to get in position.”
N’Golo Kante and Gonzalo Higuain blasted two goals in as many minutes for the Blues, but poor set-piece defending let Jeff Hendrick and Ashley Barnes plunder goals for the Clarets.
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