Frank Lampard has described Jose Mourinho s criticism of Antonio Rudiger as disappointing and insisted the defender s integrity should not be questioned.
Mourinho accused Rudiger of playacting to get Son Heung-min sent-off during Chelsea s 2-0 win at Tottenham on Sunday, but Lampard felt the Spurs boss s barbs were ill-timed.
Germany international Rudiger was the victim of racist abuse from home supporters at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with an investigation ongoing.
Lampard said: With Toni, in this incident when he’s having to post after the game about something we know is a huge deal [racism], I think to question his integrity in that time is disappointing for sure.
Pretty universally, certainly what I heard in the commentary and the post-match reflection was that the Son incident was a red card.
It wasn’t brutal but it was instinctive and that warrants a red card in the modern day.
It was pretty clear that was the case. I wouldn’t question Toni’s integrity on that.
If it becomes a question of people standing up or falling down in the Premier League, I think there were a couple of incidents in the last 15 minutes of the game where Tottenham players were going over in the box attempting to win a penalty.
So we can open up that debate, not just the red card but on mini incidents across many games. I do defend Toni firmly on it.
It is really sad to see racism again at a football match, but I think it s very important to talk about it in public. If not, it will be forgotten again in a couple of days (as always). (1/4)
— Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger)
Lampard will speak to Rudiger on Tuesday to talk through the racist incident that has prompted the Professional Footballers Association to demand a government-led enquiry into an increase in racism in the sport.
He added: I spoke to him briefly after the game, but I haven’t had a one-on-one to speak to him about the incident.
“I saw Toni’s social media post, I thought it was well put, from the heart and something that he feels very strongly about.
I’ll speak to him today when I see him.
I would like to think the players know I am with them on anything like this.
I’ll have the same conversation with Toni that I had with Tammy [Abraham] after the incident earlier this year.
And I will tell them and take the time to make sure he knows I support him, and that I support all my players in this situation.
The incidents overshadowed what was an excellent performance from Lampard s men at the weekend.
Asked if it was the best during his reign, he said: I think it was. Going to Tottenham, in good form. The character, the fight and strength makes it the best performance.
Hopefully within the group that gives us confidence.
