Chelsea accuse former boss Conte of costing them millions after he sent Diego Costa bombshell text saying ‘you are not in my plans’
The Blues claim the Italian is not entitled to his full £9million severance package as he was not working in the best interests of the club
CHELSEA will claim Antonio Conte is NOT entitled to his full severance package - because the Italian was not acting in the best interests of the club.
Conte was sacked at the end of last season and is fighting to get a £9million payoff from the Blues.
A Premier League managers' arbitration tribunal, made up of three people and convened by the Premier League, is expected to centre on Conte's bust-up with star striker Diego Costa, according to .
The Brazilian-born Spanish striker was sold in the summer of 2017, 12 months before Conte was sacked, after a row.
Conte sent a text message to Costa that said "you are not in my plan".
That message forms the basis for Chelsea's argument that Conte should not receive the full amount.
They argue that the message, and Conte's conduct, undermined their interests and adversely affected Costa's transfer value - therefore constituting a breach of contract.
NEVER PLAYED AGAIN
Costa never played for Chelsea again after the row and was later sold for £57million back to Atletico Madrid after going on strike and returning to Brazil.
Chelsea will argue that the price-tag was way under Costa's true market value and Conte's actions directly cost them.
The club will also claim that Conte's conduct left them no choice but to sign £60m flop Alvaro Morata and will reportedly produce evidence that they tried to convince Costa to return from his Brazil holiday.
The striker refused to return while Conte remained in charge.
RECOURSE
Under Premier League rules, the arbitration panel is the first legal recourse in any dispute regarding employment contracts.
If either party refuses to accept the ruling, they can then take their case to the High Court.
Both Conte and Chelsea have nominated an arbitrator, with a chairman to preside over a hearing expected to last days.
Several Chelsea staff members are reportedly prepared to give evidence against Conte.
The Italian's legal team could push for aggravated damages, arguing that by leaving it so late to sack him last summer, he was unable to find another job.
Chelsea used just 61-words to announce the sacking of a manger who had won the Premier League and the FA Cup - neglecting to thank him.
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The Blues have paid out more than £70million compensation to nine managers in Roman Abramovich's 16 years in charge, without any legal disputes.
In 2016, Tony Pulis was ordered to pay £3.7million to Crystal Palace after a dispute over his departure.
The Middlesbrough manager quit the club two days after receiving a £2m loyalty bonus.
Pulis took the tribunal's decision to the High Court, but the judge ruled against him.