Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte has admitted Pedro dived in Wednesday’s FA Cup win over Norwich, with the Spaniard citing fatigue.
Pedro received a yellow card for going to ground while attempting to round Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn in the second half of the third-round replay, which Chelsea won on penalties.
Pedro is booked for simulation after latching on to Kenedy’s pass and taking it around Gunn. #CHENOR
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 17, 2018
Conte said on Friday: “For Pedro we must be honest to accept Pedro dived. In this case Pedro understood.
“Pedro’s reaction was to stand up quickly (not to appeal for a penalty).
“I think the player understood, at that moment, the mistake and he wanted to stand up and admit it was a mistake ‘I was a bit tired’.”
Chelsea have received five domestic yellow cards for diving this season, more than any other top-flight club.
But of the three in Wednesday’s win over Norwich, Conte felt two were incorrect.
Pedro was sent off for a second bookable offence, a foul on Wes Hoolahan, three minutes from the end of extra-time.
And Alvaro Morata followed for two bookable offences in quick succession – for simulation and for vociferously contesting the decision.
Both players are suspended for Chelsea’s Premier League trip to Brighton on Saturday.
Conte says not having Morata and Pedro tomorrow has created a big problem, especially as Morata was being rested on Wednesday with the Brighton game in mind.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 19, 2018
Conte felt Morata, like Willian, was wrongly booked for diving, but refused to condone the striker’s reaction which resulted in a second yellow card for dissent.
Conte said: “I agree with the player for the first yellow card, but I don’t agree with the player for the second yellow card. He has to check himself in future.”
