FA to investigate insults hurled at Sarri by Burnley

The FA are to launch an investigation after Chelsea complained that Maurizio Sarri was repeatedly branded a “s*** Italian” by members of the Burnley bench.

Both clubs are also bracing themselves to be charged with failing to control their players and staff after the explosive scenes before and after the final whistle on Monday night.

The xenophobic slur is said to have been aimed at the Blues boss in the build-up to his sending off in Chelsea ’s frustrating 2-2 draw.

Chelsea staff made their feeling known to referee Kevin Friend who in turn is understood to have included the complaints in his report to the Football Association.

Friend is understood to have assured Chelsea officials that he would do so.

Sarri was left so enraged by the alleged taunts and his subsequent stoppage time sending off time that he chose not to conduct his post-match media conference, instead seeing his assistant Gianfranco Zola.

Asked why Sarri hadn’t turned up, Zola said: “He’s very frustrated. 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.

“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 adrenalin, but he wasn’t particularly happy.”

Burnley’s backroom team could find themselves in big trouble if they are found to have breached FA Rule E3 (1) which prohibits ‘indecent words or behaviour’ and/or E3 (2) where an aggravated breach which ‘includes a reference to ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, religion or belief, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation or disability.’

The standard punishment is an immediate five-game suspension and a £20,000 fine.