Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has played down Michael Essien's row with the Ghana FA.

The Ghanaians demanded an explanation from Essien during the week after he went AWOL from international duty.

But Ancelotti said: "It is simple. He asked the manager of Ghana if he could avoid the game on Wednesday. We gave him a day of rest and it was no problem.

"I didn't speak with the Ghana manager. I spoke only with Essien."