Chelsea manager Antonio Conte apologises after furious outburst at fourth official saw him sent off

Conte was given his marching orders shortly before the break after growing increasingly irate at what he deemed to be gratuitous efforts by the visitors to waste time

Conte was sent to the stands for screaming in the face of the fourth official (Getty)

Antonio Conte apologised to fourth official Lee Mason after his furious outburst saw him sent from the field during Chelsea’s win over Swansea.

Conte was given his marching orders shortly before the break after growing increasingly irate at what he deemed to be gratuitous efforts by the visitors to waste time during the first half at Stamford Bridge.

A wrongly-awarded goal kick was the final straw for Conte as the Blues boss berated Mason on the sidelines one too many times leaving referee Neil Swarbrick with no choice but to send him on his way.

The Italian would go on to watch Antonio Rudiger head in the only goal of the game 10 minutes after the interval from the dressing room as Chelsea kept pace in the race for the title and the top four places.

And afterwards Conte revealed he sought out both officials to apologise for his actions following the game.

“It’s normal and right to apologise for what happened during the game,” he said. “During the game in the first half I saw that Swansea were wasting time. I told the fourth official a few times but I didn’t see anything change.

“I was frustrated at this situation. I tried to tell him again and then the referee took this decision. I repeat, I apologise for this. I was frustrated and made a mistake. During the game I suffer with my players. It’s a pity.”


 Rudiger scored the only goal of the game 
 (Getty)

It was a first dismissal for Conte in the English game but he revealed that being away from the sideline did nothing to calm his characteristic fire.

“I suffer in the same way,” he added revealing he watched the remainder of the game on a screen in the home dressing room. “To watch on the video and not be able to communicate with your players is very strange and very tough for me.”