Chelsea Manager Antonio Conte was certainly in a frisky mood at his news conference today. He took aim at both Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho. Conte was strongly offended by remarks Mourinho made at his press conference yesterday which the Italian interpreted as a dig at his touchline behavior.
Conte also took exception to Wenger’s accusing Chelsea star Eden Hazard of diving. Hazard maintains that the official made the correct call on the play in question.
“I think if Arsène Wenger watched the game again, (he would) understand that he was very lucky during the game for refereeing decisions,” Conte said.
Conte made this remark on the same exact day that Wenger was hit with a three match ban due to his abusive behavior towards officials.
Conte was then asked if it bothered him when rival managers talk about him and his players. In his answer he referenced a couple of his side’s recent meetings with the Gunners and the favorable calls that Wenger received.
“It is very strange, because I don’t like to speak about the other coaches, the other players,” Conte responded.
“I think that is a form of respect you must have and, I repeat, sometimes, for example, Wenger forgets that in our last few games, we finish the game with 10 men. When they won the FA Cup and Community Shield, I think the referee decisions were a bit strange, you understand?
“I can talk, if I want, about referee decisions for one month but I don’t want to do this because we must have respect for the decision. Also, Wenger try to find this way like other coaches and it is not good. You have to accept the decision. He is an old coach, he has experience, he won a lot and he has to continue to do what he did in the past.”
Having finished off Wenger, Conte then went back to taking another swipe at Mourinho.
“For the other situation, I am repeating: there is a person who continues to look here,” Conte continued.
“He went away but continues to look here.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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