Tottenham manager Antonio Conte said he “hates” any team that tries to intimidate referees and warned Arsenal to respect officials at Sunday’s north London derby.
The FA have accused Arsenal of failing to control their players in each of their previous two matches, following incidents including protesting decisions in last week’s Premier League tie against Newcastle United and Monday’s 3-0 FA Cup third round win at Oxford.
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Manager Mikel Arteta escaped a personal charge but received heavy criticism for his reaction to declining a penalty claim in injury time against Newcastle, angrily shouting at fourth official Stuart Atwell and leading to a brief altercation with Magpies chairman Eddie Howe.
Asked if he had concerns about Arsenal trying to intimidate officials when facing Tottenham at the weekend, Conte told a news conference on Friday: “No but I think in an important match like this too, respect is always at the top, okay?
“You have to show respect in every situation and especially with the referee also because I know very well how difficult it is to be a referee, to make decisions.
“I think intimidation [the referee] Or to create a bad atmosphere is not fair. I do not like this. I hate people who try to do that. Don’t forget that we are always talking about a football game.”
And Conte went on to refer to an incident against Sporting Lisbon in October, when he was sent off for disobeying a video assistant referee’s decision to overturn what would have been an injury-time winner in Tottenham’s Group D match. Conte was sent off and subsequently given a one-match touchline ban.
And he continued: “It happens sometimes in feelings, I remember very well against Sporting Lisbon, we scored in the 95th minute and then we stayed five minutes waiting for the video assistant referee’s decision.”
“I was really upset, but I never, I never lacked respect for the referee. Then he sent me away because I entered the pitch, but I think every moment you have to show respect. Don’t forget that this is football, an incredible sport and we have to We respect each other “.
Dejan Kulusevski is expected to recover from a muscle problem but Rodrigo Bentancur [adductor] and Richarlison [hamstring] She is a doubt and will continue to be marked in training on Saturday.
