News: The fallout from Chelsea's defeat at Tottenham gathered pace yesterday, with Jose Mourinho's players claiming the referee told them during the game they needed to be "taught a lesson" for indiscipline and Ashley Cole suggesting officials are singling out the team for harsh treatment.
Chelsea were angry that Graham Poll sent off John Terry, booked four other members of the team and whistled for an infringement before Didier Drogba found the net with a header on Sunday, and they believe his officiating was influenced by their turbulent encounter at Barcelona five days earlier and a perception they are unruly. Poll allegedly said to Chelsea players: "Your discipline is out of order, you need to be taught a lesson."
It would be unusual for a referee to make such a comment. If the Football Association looks into the allegations it will be able to ask for observations from Poll's assistants and the fourth official. With Premiership referees miked up, they would have heard his conversations with players.
The idea that Poll's handling of the game was shaped by events in Barcelona was put strongly by Cole. "The ref's watched it and he's had an opinion. I think he's just taken it on himself to prove a point to everyone," he claimed. "I'm not moaning, I'm really not, but we really shouldn't lose a game like that."
Merseyside police are investigating claims that Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko punched a man after an altercation in a takeaway restaurant in the small hours of Sunday morning. The incident took place in Hot 'n' Tender, a fast food outlet in Wavertree, with a teenage man apparently left with a black eye and a swollen cheekbone after an exchange with Sissoko and a group of the Mali midfielder's friends.
"We can confirm officers are investigating a claim from a 19-year-old man in relation to an assault that is alleged to have occurred at 3.30am at a takeaway on Smithdown Road," a police statement said. Liverpool have declined to comment.
- Guardian Service
