Chelsea coach gets six-game stadium ban
CHELSEA assistant manager Rui Faria was yesterday hit with a six-game stadium ban and £30,000 fine after admitting two misconduct charges following a 2-1 home defeat to Sunderland last month.
Faria launched a furious rant at fourth official Phil Dowd and then referee Mike Dean over the call to award what proved to be a decisive penalty and was sent away from the technical area.
The Football Association confirmed: “Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing, Chelsea coach Rui Faria has been given a six-match stadium ban with immediate effect, subject to an appeal, after he admitted two breaches of FA rules. Faria, who requested a non-personal hearing, was also fined £30,000 and warned as to his future conduct.”
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has predicted a bright future for 21-year-old Blues stopper Thibaut Courtois after his brilliant display helped end his parent club’s Champions League campaign.
Courtois, now in this third season on loan at Atletico Madrid, made several key saves as the Spanish league leaders progressed to the European final at Chelsea’s expense on Wednesday.
Schwarzer said: “He is very special and it is no surprise that Chelsea signed him a couple of years ago.
“There has been a lot spoken about him and he has been outstanding. He was outstanding [in the semi-final second leg] and he has a huge career ahead of him. If we’d been a bit more lucky, and him a bit unlucky, we could have possibly got back into the game.”
Standing in Courtois’s way of the Blues’ No1 shirt is Petr Cech, 31, and Schwarzer admits Mourinho faces a difficult choice.
He added: “It’s a very tough decision and I’m glad I’m not the one who has to make it. They are both world class keepers.
“I wouldn’t even say they are at different ends of their careers because Pete still has a long way to go in his.”