Conte aims dig at Wenger over refereeing complaints

Matt Stead

Antonio Conte says that Arsene Wenger should “have respect for the referee’s decisions”.

Wenger faces an FA charge after two high-profile cases of complaints over referees in recent weeks.

The Arsenal manager criticised Mike Dean after the Gunners drew 1-1 with West Brom thanks to a contentious penalty last month, while he felt aggrieved after Chelsea were awarded a dubious spot-kick in their 2-2 draw earlier this week.

Wenger has refused to let up in his protestations, standing by his comments on Friday and saying Eden Hazard should have been booked for diving.

Conte took offence at one of his players being dragged into the argument, and took Wenger to task in his own press conference.

“It is very strange because I don’t like to speak about the other coaches or players. I think there is a form of respect that you must have,” said the Italian.

“When we were 2-1 up and the defender slides in to take the ball, it was a chance to score.

“We must have respect for the referee’s decisions. He has to accept the decision. He’s an old coach with a lot of experience and he’s won a lot.

“If I want I can talk about referee decisions for one month. But I don’t want to do this because we should have respect for the referee’s decisions.

“Wenger tries to find this way like other coaches. It’s not good.

“Sometimes Wenger forgets that in the last few games (against them) we finished with 10 men.

“I think if Arsene watches the game again, he’ll understand that he was very lucky in the game with the refereeing decisions.

“He has to continue what he has done in the past.”