Chelsea have escaped a possible points deduction in the Premier League, but have been handed a hefty fine for the chaos that unfolded at the Etihad Stadium.
The Blues ran out 3-1 winners over a tame Manchester City side at the Etihad Stadium a couple of weeks back. The result saw Antonio Conte’s men consolidate their position atop the league table.
For most of the game, there were rarely any brash challenges and altercations between players. However, after Chelsea doubled their lead, tempers flared as the City players started to grow frustrated.
It all began when Sergio Aguero recklessly lunged onto David Luiz, taking out the player with a two-footed challenge. The tackle warranted a red card and the referee duly gave the Argentine his marching orders.
However, there was also another skirmish between the two sets of players as Cesc Fabregas and Fernandinho found themselves in a bit of a physical spat. The Chelsea midfielder cheekily touched the face of the Brazilian unbeknownst to the referee, before Fernandinho returned the favour.
To the surprise of many, Fabregas stayed on the field, while Fernandinho was sent off. City ended the game with nine men, and knew that a disciplinary hearing was on its way. A day post the match, Aguero was handed a four-match ban on accord of it being his second act of violent conduct this season, but now the FA have also issued fines to both sides.
According to the BBC, Manchester City and Chelsea have been fined £35,000 and £100,000 respectively after their players clashed in their Premier League meeting at the Etihad Stadium in December. Chelsea were in danger of facing a suspension as it was their fifth violation in the last 19 months, but were let off with a mere warning.
The FA announced its decision just two days after Conte referred to the points deduction policy as a joke. As per the Guardian, the Chelsea boss laughed off claims as he believed his side were not at fault.
