Blues boss Conte was sent to the stands late in the first half of Chelsea’s 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge on November 29. The Italian, already frustrated by Swansea going unpunished for time-wasting, earned his marching orders for blasting fourth official Lee Mason following referee Neil Swarbrick’s failure to award Chelsea a clear corner.
Conte apologised after the match to Swarbrick and Mason, but that was not enough to prevent the FA charging him last week.
He accepted the charge and has now been hit with the fine.
Neuer warned not to rush
back from foot fracture
Ex-Germany captains Oliver Kahn and Lothar Matthaeus have warned current skipper Manuel Neuer not to risk his career by rushing back from injury ahead of next year’s World Cup. “He should give himself the necessary time,” Matthaeus, 56, who captained Germany to the 1990 World Cup title, said. “If something else happens, not only the World Cup will be over for him, but his career will be in danger. The only thing which counts is: zero risk!”
Bayern Munich shot-stopper Neuer, 31, is not expected back until January at the earliest after injuring himself in September when he fractured his left foot for the second time this year. Neuer had previously fractured the same foot in April, aggravating a previous injury after rushing back to face Real Madrid in the quarter-final defeat in the Champions League.
With an eye on the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Neuer wants to return as soon as possible, but former Bayern and Germany goalkeeper Kahn also urged caution based on his own experiences. With Neuer absent, Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen played for the world champions when they won the Confederations Cup in Russia last July. However, Neuer remains first choice with Germany head coach Joachim Loew and was voted the world’s best for four years in a row.
Burnley’s Brady out for ‘substantial’ period due to knee injury
Burnley midfielder Robbie Brady will be sidelined for a significant period as he prepares to undergo surgery to repair a patellar tendon tear in his left knee, the Premier League club said. Ireland international Brady, who has scored once and provided two assists in 15 league appearances for Burnley this campaign, was carried off the pitch on a stretcher during last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Leicester City.
Nicola quits Serie A
strugglers Crotone
Coach Davide Nicola confirmed he has has parted company with Serie A strugglers Crotone. The 44-year-old took over in June 2016 leading the promoted side from Calabria in their new Serie A campaign. They dramatically survived last season by finishing 17th but this season are just one place higher with 12 points from 15 games.
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