Mourinho ban modified
Mourinho ban modified
Real Madrid boss’ five-match ban modified
Uefa have modified the five-match European ban imposed on Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho so the fourth match, as well as the fifth, is now suspended.
Mourinho was handed the initial punishment in May in relation to the ill-tempered UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona at the Bernabeu.
The Portuguese was sent to the stands during the game and made what Uefa termed “an inappropriate statement” in the post-match press conference.
Mourinho, who served the first match of the ban in the second leg against Barca, was also fined €50,000 by Uefa’s control and disciplinary body.
Madrid lodged an appeal against the decision, which was heard – and partially upheld – by Uefa’s appeals body on Friday.
A statement on their official website said: “Uefa’s Appeals Body today partially upheld the decision taken by the Uefa Control and Disciplinary Body against Real Madrid and their head coach Jose Mourinho.
“The original judgment related to Mourinho’s dismissal from the bench and the inappropriate statement made at the post-match press conference of the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona in the Spanish capital on 27 April.
“After hearing the parties and looking at various pieces of evidence, the Appeals Body decided to modify the sanction.
Fine stays
“The five-match ban, with the fifth game suspended for a probationary period of three years, is changed to a five-match ban, with the fourth and fifth fixtures suspended for a probationary period of three years. The 50,000 euro fine imposed on Mourinho stays.”
Uefa also announced they have rejected an appeal against the 20,000 euro fine imposed on Madrid for the “improper conduct” of their supporters during the same match.
Madrid can appeal against Friday’s rulings to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Mourinho was ordered to the stands during the 2-0 semi-final first leg defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side in April after showing his displeasure at the red card shown to Madrid midfielder Pepe.
In the post-match press conference Mourinho then courted controversy when he implied Barca receive favourable treatment from referees and claimed the Catalan club had yet to win a “clean” Champions League title under Guardiola.
Madrid lost the semi-final 3-1 on aggregate and Barca went on to beat Manchester United in the final.
Last season was Mourinho’s first in charge of Madrid, with whom he won the Copa del Rey with victory over Barca in the final and finished second to Guardiola’s side in the Primera Division.
(source: skysports.com)