Kepa Arrizabalaga has admitted he made a "big mistake" with his behaviour in the League Cup final for Chelsea. Action Images via Reuters
Kepa Arrizabalaga has admitted he made a "big mistake" with his behaviour in the League Cup final for Chelsea. Action Images via Reuters
Kepa Arrizabalaga has admitted he made a "big mistake" with his behaviour in the League Cup final for Chelsea. Action Images via Reuters
Kepa Arrizabalaga has admitted he made a "big mistake" with his behaviour in the League Cup final for Chelsea. Action Images via Reuters

Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga admits to 'big mistake' after refusing to be substituted in League Cup final


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Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has been fined one week's wages and admitted he made a "big mistake" after refusing to be substituted during Sunday's League Cup final.

Kepa, who twice required treatment in extra-time at Wembley, waved away a substitution before Manchester City won the shootout and lifted the trophy.

Kepa and Blues manager Maurizio Sarri insisted it was a misunderstanding, but the club announced the 24-year-old would be fined one week's wages, which would be donated to the Chelsea Foundation.

The Blues confirmed the news late on Monday night with a statement which included further reaction from Kepa and Sarri who both want to move on from the incident.

Kepa admitted he had handled the situation poorly and apologised after remaining on the field when Sarri was attempting to send on Willy Caballero as a replacement.

"I have thought a lot more about yesterday's events," said Kepa, who broke the transfer record for a goalkeeper when he joined the Blues in August.

"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."

____________

League Cup final in pictures:

  • Manchester City's Oleksandr Zinchenko and team mates celebrate after winning the penalty shootout. Action Images via Reuters
    Manchester City's Oleksandr Zinchenko and team mates celebrate after winning the penalty shootout. Action Images via Reuters
  • Manchester City players react during the penalty shootout. Action Images via Reuters
    Manchester City players react during the penalty shootout. Action Images via Reuters
  • Chelsea players react during the penalty shootout. Action Images via Reuters
    Chelsea players react during the penalty shootout. Action Images via Reuters
  • Manchester City's Raheem Sterling scores from the penalty spot during the shootout to win the match. Action Images via Reuters
    Manchester City's Raheem Sterling scores from the penalty spot during the shootout to win the match. Action Images via Reuters
  • Chelsea's David Luiz misses from the penalty spot during the shootout. Action Images via Reuters
    Chelsea's David Luiz misses from the penalty spot during the shootout. Action Images via Reuters
  • Chelsea's Eden Hazard scores from the penalty spot during the shootout. Action Images via Reuters
    Chelsea's Eden Hazard scores from the penalty spot during the shootout. Action Images via Reuters
  • Manchester City's Sergio Aguero scores from the penalty spot during the shootout. Action Images via Reuters
    Manchester City's Sergio Aguero scores from the penalty spot during the shootout. Action Images via Reuters
  • Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea reacts as he refuses to be substituted. Getty Images
    Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea reacts as he refuses to be substituted. Getty Images
  • Aguero shoots under pressure from Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea. Getty Images
    Aguero shoots under pressure from Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea. Getty Images
  • Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, talks to Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Vincent Kompany. Getty Images
    Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, talks to Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Vincent Kompany. Getty Images
  • Aguero in action against Chelsea's Jorginho. EPA
    Aguero in action against Chelsea's Jorginho. EPA
  • Chelsea's Gonzalo Higuain comes on as a substitute to replace Willian. Reuters
    Chelsea's Gonzalo Higuain comes on as a substitute to replace Willian. Reuters
  • Jorginho and team mates before the start of extra time. Reuters
    Jorginho and team mates before the start of extra time. Reuters
  • Manchester City's Fernandinho is shown a yellow card by referee Jonathan Moss. Action Images via Reuters
    Manchester City's Fernandinho is shown a yellow card by referee Jonathan Moss. Action Images via Reuters
  • Aguero heads towards goal. Getty Images
    Aguero heads towards goal. Getty Images
  • Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne in action against Chelsea's Ross Barkley. EPA
    Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne in action against Chelsea's Ross Barkley. EPA
  • Manchester City's Nicolas Otamendi in action. Action Images via Reuters
    Manchester City's Nicolas Otamendi in action. Action Images via Reuters
  • Hazard runs with the ball under pressure from Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City. Getty Images
    Hazard runs with the ball under pressure from Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City. Getty Images
  • Manchester City's Fernandinho with Hazard as David Luiz reacts. Reuters
    Manchester City's Fernandinho with Hazard as David Luiz reacts. Reuters
  • Chelsea's Emerson Palmieri in action with Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne. Action Images via Reuters
    Chelsea's Emerson Palmieri in action with Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne. Action Images via Reuters
  • Aguero shoots during the Carabao Cup Final. Getty Images
    Aguero shoots during the Carabao Cup Final. Getty Images
  • Sterling battles for possession with Azpilicueta. Getty Images
    Sterling battles for possession with Azpilicueta. Getty Images
  • Chelsea's Ross Barkley and Azpilicueta in action with Manchester City's Nicolas Otamendi. Reuters
    Chelsea's Ross Barkley and Azpilicueta in action with Manchester City's Nicolas Otamendi. Reuters
  • Fans inside the stadium before the match. Action Images via Reuters
    Fans inside the stadium before the match. Action Images via Reuters
  • Chelsea fans before the match. Action Images via Reuters
    Chelsea fans before the match. Action Images via Reuters

____________

Chelsea return to action in the Premier League on Wednesday night, when they host Tottenham.

Sarri will face the media at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

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