Chelsea's Assistant Manager Banned For Six Matches

Chelsea assistant manager Rui Faria was hit with a six-match stadium ban and fined £30,000 ($50,640, 36,564 euros) on Thursday following his furious rant at the officials during Sunderland's shock win at Stamford Bridge. The Football Association found Faria guilty of two charges of improper conduct after Jose Mourinho's long-time assistant had to be restrained during a fiery touchline exchange with referee Mike Dean and fourth official
Phil Dowd in the closing stages of Chelsea's surprise 2-1 home defeat against Sunderland last month.

The incident was sparked by Dean's decision to award a controversial penalty to Sunderland when Blues defender Cesar Azpilicueta slid in to challenge Jozy Altidore, causing the Black Cats striker to tumble even though there was little intentional contact. Fabio Borini converted the spot-kick to seal a Sunderland victory which dealt a major blow to Chelsea's hopes of winning the Premier League and ended Mourinho's 77-game unbeaten run in league matches at Stamford Bridge.

That prompted a shocking response from Faria, who screamed and gesticulated at Dowd and Dean before he was eventually dragged away by Mourinho and another member of his coaching staff. Faria had admitted the charges and, pending an appeal, he will be banned from attending Chelsea's final two league matches this season against Norwich and Cardiff and their first four fixtures next term.

"Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing, Chelsea coach Rui Faria has been given a six-match stadium ban with immediate effect, subject to any appeal, after he admitted two breaches of FA Rules," an FA statement read.

"The first breach was that Faria used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official during Chelsea's game against Sunderland on 19 April 2014.

"The second breach was that his behaviour following the match referee's request that he leave the technical area amounted to improper conduct.

"Faria, who requested a non-personal hearing, was also fined £30,000 and warned as to his future conduct."