Chelsea's Mourinho fined over League Cup comment
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-11 09:38

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been fined 5,000 pounds by the English Football Association for comments he made after January's stormy League Cup semi-final match against Manchester United.

Coach Mourinho : Chelsea's Jose Mourinho (L) gives directions to Meteja Kezman their second leg Champion's League football match at Stamford Bridge stadium in London. Chelsea won 4-2. [AFP]

The controversy-courting Portuguese manager was charged after accusing United's players of diving during the 0-0 first leg draw at Stamford Bridge in a Chelsea TV interview.

Chelsea won the second leg of the semi-final 2-1 at Old Trafford and went on to beat Liverpool 3-2 in last month's final.

Mourinho, whose team are eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, also said United boss Alex Ferguson had tried to influence referee Neale Barry at halftime in the January 12 clash.

In a separate punishment, the FA also fined Chelsea 15,000 pounds on Thursday for failing to control their players during a Premier League match at Blackburn Rovers on February 2, which Chelsea won 1-0.

As well as the fines, the FA disciplinary panel warned Mourinho and his club about their future conduct.

He left the FA's Soho Square headquarters by the rear exit following his hearing and did not make any comment.

Mourinho is also in hot water with European soccer's governing body UEFA after accusing Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard of trying to influence referee Anders Frisk in the first leg of their Champions League match two weeks ago.

UEFA have begun disciplinary proceedings of their own after Mourinho's players were late for the second half of that match and after the Portuguese snubbed the post-match news conference.

UEFA's Control and Disciplinary body will meet on March 24 to examine the case.

Chelsea lost the knockout round first leg 2-1 but beat Barcelona 4-2 in a Stamford Bridge thriller on Tuesday to advance.

RUNNING BATTLE

Chelsea had denied the charge pertaining to player conduct at Ewood Park. The FA fined Blackburn Rovers 10,000 pounds after they admitted the charge.

The game's second half degenerated into a running battle between Rovers striker Paul Dickov and Chelsea skipper John Terry, with ugly scuffles and a mass confrontation marring the closing stages.

It is ironic that a manager whose mouth has got him into so much trouble has also been rapped over the knuckles for inciting fans by telling them to keep quiet during a match.

Mourinho was reminded of his responsibilities after making shushing motions with his finger in front of Liverpool supporters after Chelsea scored their equaliser in the League Cup final.

He was escorted from the dugout and watched the remainder of the match from an office in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Earlier this month Mourinho said he would not change his personality but would change his behaviour to fit in with the English game.

The Portuguese, who has been labelled arrogant and brash as well as intelligent and talented since billionaire owner Roman Abramovich lured him from Champions League-winning Porto last June, said the English were perhaps not used to his character.

"I think you are just not used to a person like me...maybe a person who is so open as I am, who is not afraid to say what he thinks and what he feels."

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