Two coaches were involved in clashes before and during a match in north London. Credit: PA/Zac Goodwin
Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi accused acting Tottenham Hotspur head coach Christian Stellini of disrespect after both were shown red cards in a wild game between their teams.De Zerby is now serving his third touchline ban of the season and has admitted he does not know if he will be in the technical area of Brighton's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United at Wembley.
Stellini declined discuss it. a clash that began before kick-off when De Zerby eschewed traditional pre-match handshakes to instead energetically get his point across to the Tottenham player by shaking his finger in his face.
De Zerby collided with Tottenham's bench again in the first half before the incident in the 60th minute when both managers were sent into the stands by referee Stuart Attwell.
Stellini received a red card for failing to control his staff after how fitness coach Stefano Bruno reacted to de Zerby, who insisted he didn't deserve to be sacked in Brighton's embarrassing 2-1 loss to Spurs.
«I» I'm used to always respect everyone on and off the field,” said De Zerby. “I don't like being disrespected. But there are normal situations in football.
“These are personal items. I always respect everyone, especially coaches. I can answer for myself, not for him.”
To the specific question whether he feels disrespected by Stellini, De Zerby replied: “Yes”. He added: “This is a personal situation. I told him my opinion, my idea, not bad words, but only my opinion.”
De Zerby stated that the flashpoint that led to the red cards came after Tottenham complained to officials about the decisions, despite Brighton having been denied two goals up to that point and dismissed one penalty appeal. They later turned down another fine appeal.
«A red card started for this situation because I didn't say anything to the referee during the game,» De Zerby said. “I did not exert any pressure on the referee. I don't like it when the other bench puts pressure on the referee. We have to help the referee not apply more pressure in this stadium, in this atmosphere.”
Harry Kane scored the winning goal in a heated match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Photo: Getty Images/Stephanie Meek. acknowledged that he would need to look at his behavior.
«Yes, I'm sorry,» De Zerby said. “But for the first time in my career there were so many red cards. If you look at my career, you won't find so many red cards.
“We played two matches with me in the stands and both won. I think there is no problem. When I was in the dressing room, there was a clear Mitoma penalty. Maybe I've changed leagues and should change my habits.»
Brighton will play United in the last four FA Cup games on 23 April and a two-game suspension will see De Zerby sidelined. lines in this game. . Asked if he knew if he would have to sit in the stands at Wembley, he replied: «I don't know.»
Stellini declined to talk about his clash with De Zerby, but insisted that he fully respects all its rival coaches.
“I can only say what happens on the field remains the field,” Stellini said. “Sometimes it seems that something is bad, but it is not. I want everyone to understand that this is my second game as (interim) head coach of Tottenham and I want to pay tribute to all the managers in the Premier League.
"When I'm talking about Managers, every time I talk like I'm a person who has to learn from all the managers that work in the Premier League. Managers who worked in the past, managers who work now. I want to learn every day, I try to do my best and I want to respect everyone, so I don't talk about anything that happens on the field.»
On his red card, Stellini added: «I have to manage the bench and keep calm. But at that moment I was focused on the players, I wanted to talk to the players and lost focus on the bench. This rule is. I have to follow the rule, but I think if you look at what happened, I was polite and calm.”
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