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Mauricio Pochettino acted 'aggressively' towards referee Mike Dean, FA report finds

Pochettino repeatedly said "you know what you are" at Dean after Spurs' 2-1 loss to Burnley

Mauricio Pochettino confronted Mike Dean after Tottenham's loss at Burnley
Image: Mauricio Pochettino confronted Mike Dean after Tottenham's loss at Burnley

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino acted aggressively towards referee Mike Dean continuously saying "you know what you are", according to the Football Association.

Pochettino was given a two-match touchline ban and £10,000 fine for his post-match row with Dean following Tottenham's 2-1 loss to Burnley on February 23.

Pochettino accepted the improper conduct charge, with the FA now releasing the written reasons behind their decision to sanction the Spurs manager.

The relevant part of Dean's referee report said: "At the conclusion of the game I was approached on the field of play by the Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino and some members of his coaching staff including first-team coach Jesus Perez.

"Mr Pochettino acted in a very irresponsible and aggressive (sic) manner. He wouldn't stop saying 'you know what you are, you know what you are'. I asked him to explain and he repeated 'you know what you are'.

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Mauricio Pochettino was less than impressed with referee Mike Dean at the full-time whistle as Tottenham were defeated 2-1 by Burnley at Turf Moor

"I then said on numerous occasions to go away at least 10 times and he wouldn't get out of my personal (sic) space and then aggressively (sic) pointed his finger just a few inches from my face again saying "you know what you are". Mr. Pochettino then left me alone and left the field of play.

"When I reached the tunnel he was waiting at the top of the stairs again saying "you know what you are" and had to be escorted to the dressing room by security staff from Burnley."

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Both of the assistant referees at Turf Moor for the game corroborated the account of Dean.

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Highlights from Southampton's win over Tottenham in the Premier League

Pochettino acknowledged the inappropriateness of his behaviour in his post-match interviews and apologised to Dean in his subsequent news conference.

The Argentine had not previously received a touchline sanction in his seven years in English football, which acted as a mitigating circumstance in the FA's ruling.

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