Chelsea coach Marco Ianni was RIGHT to taunt Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho, says Jeremy Clarkson (Image: GETTY)
But Chelsea fan and former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has a unique assessment of the situation - Ianni was in the right!
There was chaos at Stamford Bridge when Ianni celebrated in front of the Manchester United manager after Chelsea's injury-time equaliser.
"It's been said this week that the Chelsea coach who celebrated his team's last-minute equaliser should not have directed his joy at Manchester United's manager, Jose Mourinho," Clarkson wrote in The Sun.
"Why not? This is football. When a player scores, fans of his team are not urged to sit on their hands in case they upset players on the other team.
"So why should it be any different for the managers and coaches?"
In a letter from the FA, Mourinho was "formally reminded of his responsibilities" after his angry reaction but he has escaped a touchline ban.
However, the incident could still count against him as he faces another charge having been filmed swearing in Portuguese on the touchline after the Reds' win against Newcastle. The FA take into account previous bad behaviour.
But football chiefs are in a dilemma over what punishment to impose on Ianni, who normally sits in the stands in his role as an analyst and was not supposed to be on the touchline, which the FA have also taken a dim view of.
Chelsea coach Marco Ianni was RIGHT to taunt Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho, says Jeremy Clarkson (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea coach Marco Ianni was RIGHT to taunt Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho, says Jeremy Clarkson (Image: GETTY)
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A touchline ban would be meaningless and as a minor figure in Maurizio Sarri's backroom team, a big fine is unlikely.
He has until 6pm on Thursday to respond, with a three-man FA commission due to hear the case.
Sarri and Chelsea have already apologised, while Ianni has personally apologised.
The FA have written to both clubs giving a similar warning with "official reminders in terms of the behaviour expected of their staff and players at all times whilst in the technical area".
(Image: Chelsea coach Marco Ianni was RIGHT to taunt Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho, says Jeremy Clarkson)
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Chelsea are conducting their own investigation and disciplinary process into Ianni's behaviour, but will not be sacking him.
"First of all, as I said after the match, we were wrong," said boss Maurizio Sarri. "I was there when Marco spoke to Mr Mourinho.
"He said sorry immediately and he realised he was wrong.
"For the FA, I don't know - I haven't experienced that here. I don't know the consequences, but we were wrong so we have to accept the consequences."