‘We will accept’ – Fabian Hurzeler and Brighton boosted by Premier League ruling for Chelsea clash

The German also revealed that Seagulls striker Joao Pedro is likely to miss Saturday’s game at Stamford Bridge after picking up an ankle injury during a tackle on Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White that sparked the late drama.

   Gibbs-White was sent off for a second yellow card and Hurzeler and Forest coach Nuno Espirito Santo were sent off before all three were charged by the Football Association on Tuesday.

   Hurzeler, who was fined for stepping onto the Amex Stadium pitch after attacking Pedro, had a “very respectful” conversation with Howard Webb, head referee at Professional Game Match Officials Limited, this week.

   “I know what the punishment will be and I also know I will stand by Chelsea,” he said.    “I think that’s the most positive thing: to be able to support my team, to be able to help my team.

   “I also have to learn from this situation how quickly you can get a red card here in this league. But of course we accept the penalty.”

   Pedro came on as a 71st-minute substitute against Forest after missing Albion’s previous two games with an injury picked up on international duty with Brazil.

   The 23-year-old now faces a new era on the sidelines.    “You can see this fight on TV, but you have to see it on the pitch, how tough it was, how dynamic it was,” Germa said

   Hurzeler said his “emotional” response to Gibbs-White’s outing was out of concern for Pedro and that he wasn’t sure why he was fired at first.

   “If you get a red card for that, you have to send a lot of coaches off during games because you’re going to step on the pitch in an emotional situation during a game,” said the 31-year-old.

   “I think sometimes you should also show your emotions. In this case it was about protecting Joao Pedro because it was a difficult attack for him. If I didn’t show emotions, I as a player would say, ‘I don’t care about the coach’,  that’s why I try to show emotions in some parts of the matches.”

   Hurzeler was accused by the FA of acting in an inappropriate manner.    Nuno’s opponent faces the same charges, as well as being abusive and/or insulting to the match referee.

   “Howard Webb is very open: he listens to me and clearly explains the situation to me, how the referee saw the scene, how the fourth official saw the scene,” Hurzeler said.    “It’s very important to have a good discussion and a clear discussion — how I see things, how they see things.”