Cristian Stellini admits it was a ‘good’ decision to charge Spurs and Brighton after heated clash

Cristian Stellini admitted that the decision to charge both Tottenham and Brighton for their role in last week’s heated touchline melee was a ‘good’ one. 

The Italian – in charge of Spurs until the end of the season following Antonio Conte’s departure – allowed that his side and their opponents did not create a very good impression. 

Tempers flared in the Premier League clash, with Stellini and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi squaring up to each other, before both sets of coaching staff became involved in a pitchside tussle. 

Referee Stuart Attwell showed a red card to both Italian managers, although the Spurs boss protested his innocence having remained at a distance from the main fray, but the referee remained firm in his decision. 

Following the game, the FA hit both clubs with a charge for failing to control their players and both sides received fines, but neither manager picked up a touchline ban. 

Both Stellini and Roberto De Zerbi were shown red cards in the tense 2-1 win for Tottenham

 The 48-year-old allowed that the melee did not give off a good ‘impression’ from both sides

However, although the 48-year-old admitted it was a good decision to charge both sides, he did also state his relief at being allowed back on the touchline as he felt he was ‘not involved in anything’. 

‘What we created in that moment was not a good impression,’ the Tottenham boss said when asked for his thoughts on the charges. 

‘Maybe for the atmosphere we created it is good the (FA) decision. We have to be better but personally I am happy we showed we are a team, we are linked, we are close and we defend ourselves and our club. 

‘At the same time I am happy because I feel I was not involved in anything, so it is a good decision I stay on the touchline tomorrow.’

The match began on frosty footing, with a conversation between the two drawing the eye in which De Zerbi was seen pointing his finger at Stellini, while the latter became increasingly incensed with what his counterpart had to say. 

The pair clashed in their playing days in Serie B, with Stellini at Bari and De Zerbi at Avellino.

And the Spurs boss was quick to add that there was ‘nothing to say’ to his opposite number when asked if he had spoken with his rival. 

‘No,’ he said. ‘This type of things stay on the pitch, you forget this type of situation immediately after the game. There’s nothing to say. Everything is fine for me.’

Given that he stayed out of much of the fracas at the time, Stellini was likely to avoid a ban from the dugout.

De Zerbi on the other hand has twice been handed such bans, and there was an understandable risk that he might pick up a third, although it would appear that he has avoided that fate. 

Ahead of the match, the pair had an exchange loaded with friction as they met before kick-off 

Both sides were charged after numerous members of coaching staff from both sides got involved 

Stellini and De Zerbi (centre) had previously faced off as players in Serie B in the 2000s

Some of De Zerbi’s Brighton players came over to intervene but could not prevent his dismissal

His side face a crucial FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester United, which they will have been keen to keep the Italian in contention for. 

And when asked whether the club would appeal the charges levelled at them, Stellini quickly reiterated that he and his side were not the aggressors in the incident. 

‘I think we have to clarify something like the club but this is not a decision for me,’ he added. ‘It is a club decision but important to clarify with the FA and everyone our position. We were not the people who create. 

‘Maybe we react and maybe apologise for that is good, but we were not the people who started this situation.’