Dele Alli and Eric Dier unavailable for Chelsea clash on Wednesday
Tuesday 26 February 2019 17:30, UK
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has apologised to referee Mike Dean and accepted the FA's charge of improper conduct.
Pochettino was charged for his altercation with referee Dean after Tottenham's 2-1 defeat at Turf Moor on Saturday and will not request a personal hearing, although the FA confirmed there will still be an independent commission.
Dean was subsequently removed as the fourth official for Spurs' trip to Chelsea on Wednesday before they face north London rivals Arsenal just three days later in crucial back-to-back Premier League games.
"I accept the charge," Pochettino said. "I apologise to Mike Dean. I cannot behave in that way and of course, I apologise.
"Watching my behaviour afterwards on video, I need to accept the charge from the FA. I need to apologise to Mike Dean, I cannot behave in that way. It is not the way to behave.
"My behaviour was public and now I want to apologise in a public way. I need to apologise to him and all of the officials."
Pochettino refused to confirm exactly what he said to Dean in their heated exchange, adding: "No, all that happened on the pitch stays on there.
"For me it's not important, I don't take it personally. When your heart rate is so high you need to be careful how you take words. All that happened on the pitch, I'll never translate off it."
The FA state this is not a standard case and so there are no set sanctions already in place. That means that even if Pochettino accepts the charge, an independent panel will still meet to discuss what his punishment will be.
Tottenham have until Thursday to officially respond to the FA, which will impact on timings and when the independent commission will meet.
Saturday's defeat to Burnley sees Tottenham remain in third place, six points behind leaders Liverpool, ahead of games against Chelsea and Arsenal.
When asked how he felt about Liverpool dropping points against Manchester United on Sunday, Pochettino replied: "It's more painful for me! I need to see a reaction from my players tomorrow.
"I can only be happy tomorrow if we beat Chelsea. I still feel pain because of the defeat against Burnley. It is impossible to put out that feeling unless (we) show tomorrow it was an accident and we beat Chelsea.
"It is going to be tough because Chelsea is a great team with a lot of great players. It is tough to play at Stamford Bridge but we must try (to win)."
Pochettino refused to accept that Spurs may have an edge over Chelsea due to the fact the Blues had to play 120 minutes of football on Sunday as they lost to Manchester City on penalties in the Carabao Cup final.
"With less than 48 hours (after playing Manchester City in October) we were able to beat West Ham 2-0," he said.
"Playing Wednesday then Sunday, I think you have time to recover. I don't think they are going to be tired or in a different way. It's going to be a tough game. It's such an important game for them too."
