Chelsea fans have mixed emotions to the statement released by Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga following pitch row during the Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City on Sunday with many believing that it was a political answer to quell the temperatures.
In addition Alan Shearer and Ruud Gullit have dismissed Sarri’s claim that his row with Kepa Arrizabalaga was merely a ‘misunderstanding’.
The Chelsea boss was left furious in the final minutes of their Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester City after Kepa refused to be substituted.
An apoplectic Sarri threw something in the dugout and almost walked down the tunnel after he tried and failed to bring on Willy Caballero at Wembley.
During the confusion referee Jon Moss came over to speak to Sarri who made it clear he wanted to bring the goalkeeper off.
Sarri later played down the incident, insisting: ‘I understood there was a problem and we needed a change, then I realised the situation only when the doctor arrived to the bench after 4 minutes, so it was a big misunderstanding.’
But, speaking on Match Of The Day, Alan Shearer said: ‘I think it tells the story the way the manager reacted. He went absolutely berserk.
‘I don’t think that’s a misunderstanding. He wants him off for a specific reason and he’s disobeyed him and undermined him.’
Former Chelsea boss Ruud Gullit was left equally unconvinced by Sarri’s explanation, insisting ‘everybody knows what happened’
‘The captain (Cesar Azpilicueta) should have gone up to him and said, “Go off”,’ Gullit told the BBC.
‘This is just a political answer for the newspapers so there is no confusion the next day. Everybody knows what happened. The way he reacted on the touchline says everything.’
The situation was like nothing ever seen before and supporters took to Twitter to express their complete shock.
“NOOOO WAY KEPA IS DONE. SARRI SHOULD WALK AWAY FROM THIS JOKE CLUB,” one tweeted.
Another put: “Shocking from Kepa such a lack of respect. Disgusting and I feel sorry for Sarri.
“Surely its only a matter of time before he loses his job though after that incident. Its totally wrong though and players have far to much power these days.”
Another put: “If I was Sarri I wouldn’t even mind losing this. Kepa lost it for him based on his actions.”