Jesse Marsch 'disappointed' as Thomas Tuchel allowed on Chelsea bench to face Leeds despite FA fine

Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch has admitted that it will be disappointing for him to see Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel on the sideline as the sides face off.

This comes after Tuchel was dismissed against Tottenham Hotspur last week following an altercation with Antonio Conte.

Tuchel appeared to hold onto Conte’s hand during a handshake, with the pair facing off against each other before being dismissed by referee Anthony Taylor after the full-time whistle.

The duo also clashed during the match, both receiving yellow cards after an altercation when Conte celebrated Spurs’ first equaliser.

Speaking to the press ahead of the match, a journalist joked with Marsch as he asked him if the American would shake Tuchel’s hand following the incident with Conte.

Thomas Tuchel picks up a red card after full time vs Spurs. (Alamy)

In bizarre fashion, Marsch began admitting that he would be disappointed if Tuchel was even allowed to be on the touchline following his dismissal last week.

He said: "No, he won't be there, right? Are they saying he might be able to be on the bench?

£That doesn't seem right does it? If you get a red card, you're out of the match."

The American then continued to state that he will be disappointed if he sees Tuchel on the bench for Chelsea.

"I will be disappointed if they allow him to be on the bench.

"There is a simple rule in football. Whether it's soccer or football, if you get a red card you can't play the next match,” he concluded.

Since his press conference, Marsch will now be aware that Tuchel will be on the bench for his side, with the FA releasing a statement regarding the incident against Spurs.

“An independent Regulatory Commission has today ordered that Thomas Tuchel be fined £35,000 and banned from the touchline for one match, and Antonio Conte be fined £15,000 after they respectively breached FA Rule E3,” it wrote.

“Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte admitted that their behaviour after the final whistle of the Premier League game between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC on Sunday 14 August 2022 was improper, and both managers requested a paper hearing.”

Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte argue on the touchline. (Alamy)

However, despite being handed a ban, this has been suspended until Tuchel receives the written reasons for the decision.

“These sanctions are subject to appeal, and Thomas Tuchel’s one match touchline ban has been suspended temporarily pending the independent Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions and that will be made available in due course,” the FA concluded.

This will be bad news for Marsch, who will face off against the German in the dugout at Elland Road, much to his disappointment.