Chelsea have fined goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga a week's wages after his bust-up with Maurizio Sarri at Wembley.
The Spaniard and his Italian boss held talks on Monday over the 'keeper's public display of defiance towards the end of extra-time in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, which the Blues lost to Manchester City on penalties.
Sarri was left raging on the touchline after Arrizbalaga defied his attempts to substitute him for Willy Caballero ahead of the penalty shootout.
Both men brushed it off as a misunderstanding at full-time but Arrizabalaga has personally apologised to Sarri, his team-mates and the club in full acknowledgement he made "a big mistake".
His wages will go to charity, and he said: "I have thought a lot more about yesterday's events. Although there was a misunderstanding, on reflection I made a big mistake with how I handled the situation.
"I wanted to take the time today to apologise fully and in person to the coach, to Willy, my team-mates and to the club. I have done this and now I want to offer the same apology to the fans.
"I will learn from this episode and will accept any punishment or discipline the club decides is appropriate."
Sarri said: "Kepa and I have spoken about the incident. It was a good conversation. There was a misunderstanding yesterday but he realises he made a big mistake in the way he reacted. He has apologised to me, his team-mates and the club.
"It is up to the club if they want to discipline him according to the club rules, but for me this matter is now closed. The team performance as a whole was extremely positive and it is a shame to see how this incident has overshadowed our efforts in what was a very competitive cup final.
"Everyone's focus is now on the next game and we must all now put this behind us."
Suddemopr
381
He should be benched for the rest of season . The coach should be respected at all costs
notciknprs
296
just a week? I will fine him 2months. He's a bad example for young kids aspiring to become professional footballers.
rohelmort
273
Official: Kepa fines Sarri one week worth of cigarettes
Nesaiknruy_Legend
227
Are people happy now? he got punished and said he was sorry. Why is this story being made so big? Just typical of the news to create a massive drama out of a problem at Chelsea FC. Both the player and manager have come to a resolution. It's like people want to see Sarri and Kepa have a falling out. Sarri is the manager that Kepa came to Chelsea under. Outside of that little incident, youd best believe Kepa got nothing but respect for the man who practically nurtured him during his tenure at Chelsea.
GoonieGooGoo
168
Man did he get off easy. Thought for sure that Sarri was going to bench him at least for a few games. I give Sarri a lot of credit as this is probably the best thing for the team unity at least in the short term. Leaving this $70M signing on the sidelines if he is fit would just aggravate the whole situation and likely put an end to a season that is still salvageable.
kosbelt
144
sometimes I don't understand the mentality of some people, but put your self in Kepa's place after he conceding six goals against Manchester City he got himself injured against United and passed the late fitness test. Sarri risked him and he made two nice save to deny Aguero's short and trying to waste some of the time Sarri wanted to change him whilst I believe he told the doctor that he is fine if not I think he would have removed his gloves on the field and ask for Sarri to substitute him. Yet people are blaming him for what he did yes he has accepted that he did the wrong thing on the field but remember this his duty was to save some of the penalties and he did that but what about those who couldn't score the penalty. For me I refuse to put the blame on Kepa just because he came under pressure to save a penalty that was why he wanted to catch the penalty of Aguero instead of him punching it like he did to Sane's own. From the look of what he did before and after I think he is a fighter and has a great potential of becoming the best in the world. And moreover I think Sarri shouldn't have act like that if his actions too is to be taken into consideration then it looks like he made an agreement to bring on Cabellero in the dying minutes because of the penalty shootout which signifies he doesn't trust Kepa when it comes to saving penalties.
TigerShark
80
some say it was misunderstanding between sarri and kepa. but i don't so... there must be a strong reason sarri make decision to subbed kepa with caballero.... it was.. strategy and tactic for penalties. the substitution make at 29min at extra time.. clearly caballero come in for penalties becoz caballero use to plays for City for 4 years! im sure he knows inside out how city players take penalties and a lil bit pep guardiola tactics. im sure he must be trained with penalties at some point during 4 years his as city goalkeeper.
King_Keynan
64
He makes Chelsea easy to disobey whenever he need If he did in Atletico Madrid Simeone was punch him immediately. Any new mistakes could cost him very much. The rules are strict in Stamford Bridge. He knows well who Abramovic is.
elMago21city
57
Sarri showed weakness when he let kepa make the decision for him. When you want to make a sub, don’t let a player push you around. It shows the whole world you have a weak mentality and you will have no respect. If it were pep, simeone, Mourinho..... I would feel sorry for the lad because those managers would physically drag him off the field by his hair if they had to.