The ongoing legal dispute between former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and the west London club may finally come to a resolution as a Premier League arbitration tribunal begins on Thursday.
The Stamford Bridge outfit has started the proceedings with a view to finding a potential resolution regarding Conte’s compensation claim for a severance package relating to his contract with Chelsea.
The Italian was given his marching orders from the west London club last summer despite a year left on his deal. Since then, his lawyers have been at odds with the legal representatives of the club regarding Conte’s demand of being paid in full – amounting to £9 million – the wages he would have earned during that final campaign at west London.
Chelsea is set to dispute the 49-year-old’s version of events. The west London club believes their former manager committed a breach of contract due to his behaviour during his final year in the Stamford Bridge dugout, particularly his standoff with former Blues striker Diego Costa.
The Brazil-born Spanish international left Chelsea in January 2018 after Conte had earlier informed the former via text message that he would no longer features in the Italian’s plans for the future. It is understood the club will point to that incident as an instance of the ex-Italy manager’s lack of professionalism and so Conte should receive a smaller severance package than what he is asking for.
On Thursday, a panel consisting of three persons will start hearing the case in an undisclosed location and while there is no deadline for the trio to come to a decision, a verdict is expected soon. However, if no suitable resolution can be reached, it could see the case move to an employment tribunal, and ultimately, the High Court.
Conte, who is currently out of football management, won the Premier League title in his debut season at the west London club and the FA Cup in his second campaign before severing ties with Chelsea.
