BURNLEY MANAGER SEAN Dyche has defended Ashley Barnes and insisted that in real time, his tackle on Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic appeared totally innocuous.
In a 10-minute video produced by the Clarets, Dyche admitted that the incident looked “ugly” with the benefit of slow-motion replays and multiple angles.
Matic was shown a straight red card for his angry reaction and is set for a three-game ban, which Chelsea are appealing.
Meanwhile Barnes will face no disciplinary action after the FA deemed that referee Martin Atkinson saw the challenge and dealt with it at the time.
Mourinho later branded the challenge as “criminal” but Dyche pointed out that at the time, “no one reacts.”
“If you look at the footage, when the camera pans back to Jose Mourinho and his assistant they’re calmly talking about what they should do.
“After the event with hindsight, with camera views, with slo-mo, now statements like ‘criminal tackle’ or the like are being used.
“I find that hard to adjust to when live at that moment, 15,000ish people behind me, their expert staff, and they are all experts in their field including a high-quality manager, and most of all the players on the football pitch [don't react].”
Dyche also turned the spotlight on other key moments to give a “balanced view” of the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
“On this occasion I feel it’s gone a bit too far,” he said.
