Pochettino apologises to referee Mike Dean

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino will not contest his improper conduct charge following a rant at referee Mike Dean.

Published : Feb 26, 2019 22:33 IST

Mauricio Pochettino confronted referee Mike Dean after the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley.
Mauricio Pochettino confronted referee Mike Dean after the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley.
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Mauricio Pochettino confronted referee Mike Dean after the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley.

Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed he will accept his Football Association (FA) charge for improper conduct following an extraordinary rant at Mike Dean.

The Tottenham Hotspur boss was furious as his side was beaten 2-1 at Burnley on Saturday and appeared to blame the officials, with television pictures showing the coach angrily confronting referee Dean for an extended period.

The FA charged Pochettino on Monday and with time to reflect on the incident, he accepts he was in the wrong.

READ | Pochettino charged by FA after Mike Dean row

"I will accept the charge," he told a news conference. "Watching my behaviour afterwards on TV, I think I need to accept and apologise to Mike Dean.

"I cannot behave in that way. It's not the way. My behaviour was public and now I want to apologise in a public way. I need to apologise to him and all of the officials."

Pochettino had hoped to have the opportunity to apologise to Dean in person at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday when Tottenham visits Chelsea. But the official has been allocated as the fourth official at Manchester City when it faces West Ham United, having reportedly been set to have the same role at Chelsea prior to the clash with Pochettino.

"I feel sorry he won't be at Stamford Bridge," Pochettino said. "I wanted to see him tomorrow and apologise. I still believe I am right but the way I behaved was not right.

RELATED | Maybe the cables crossed in my brain - Pochettino explains Dean row

"For me, he is one of the best referees."

Spurs are still without injured star Dele Alli. Pochettino added that he was unsure if the midfielder would return in time for next week's Champions League second leg at Borussia Dortmund.

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