Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri says the incident involving goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Carabao Cup final was a “misunderstanding”.
The club record £71m signing appeared to defy the Italian’s attempt to substitute him in extra time before Manchester City won on penalties.
Sarri appeared furious and walked down the tunnel before quickly returning.
“I misunderstood the problem and only realised the situation when the doctor arrived at the bench,” said Sarri.
“He understood I asked for a change for his physical problem. He said, ‘I haven’t a physical problem’ – and he was right.”
The 24-year-old later echoed his manager’s words and insisted the incident was caused by “confusion”.
“It was misunderstood. In no moment was it my intention to disobey, or anything like that with the boss,” said Arrizabalaga.
“It was two or three minutes of confusion until the medics got to the bench and they explained everything well.
“He thought I couldn’t continue, and – fundamentally – I was trying to say that physically I was fine.”
Spaniard Arrizabalaga initially went down with cramp – prompting the Chelsea bench to ready reserve goalkeeper Willy Caballero.
Sarri was visibly angry as his goalkeeper refused to follow orders from the touchline but eventually conceded following a conversation with referee Jonathan Moss.
“I realised after, when the doctor arrived. I have talked to him [Moss] but only to clarify because now I have understood the situation,” Sarri said.
“It was a big misunderstanding because I understood the keeper had cramp and was unable to go to penalties. But it was not cramp and he could go to the penalties.
“I needed to return [down the tunnel] to be quiet.”