Antonio Conte’s bitter legal spat with Chelsea took another unsavoury turn this week, according to a report in The Times.

Inter’s new head coach was awarded £9 million in April after a private manager’s tribunal ruled that Chelsea owed him one-year’s salary in compensation, having failed to agree a severance package when they sacked him in 2018.

However, with that case finally finished Conte has now brought a statutory claim against the Premier League club at an Employment Tribunal, who are expected to deliver a verdict next month.

“While details of Conte’s claim are unclear such cases usually involve accusations of unfair dismissal or discrimination,” Matt Hughes reported.

“Unlike the Premier League tribunal, the findings of the Employment Tribunal will be made public, which could provide an insight into Conte’s motivation.

“One legal source told The Times that Conte may be seeking to embarrass Chelsea as details of the proceedings will eventually be publicised, either out of spite following the collapse of his relationship with the club or to ensure the compensation payment is settled promptly.

“Given claims of unfair dismissal at employment tribunals are capped at £60,000, his motives are unlikely to be purely financial.”

Conte did not attend the hearing where his case was first heard last Friday as he is busy preparing for the new season at Inter.