Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho denies FA misconduct charge

Jose Mourinho: Hearing request. Picture: PA

Relegation-threatened Sunderland ended Mourinho’s 77-match unbeaten home league run with a 2-1 win on 19 April and the Chelsea boss could not hide his anger afterwards behind a sarcastic appraisal of the officials. He has requested a non-personal hearing in the case, the FA has announced.

His assistant Rui Faria, who was dismissed for angrily confronting the match officials, has admitted two charges of misconduct and requested a non-personal hearing. Midfielder Ramires received a retrospective four-match ban, ending his domestic season, for striking Sebastian Larsson during the loss. Mourinho, who is preparing his team for tomorrow night’s finely-balanced Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge, had until 6pm last night to respond to the charge, which was levelled last Wednesday.

A FA statement read: “Jose Mourinho has denied an FA charge and requested a non-personal hearing in relation to comments he made following Chelsea’s game against Sunderland on April 19, 2014. It is alleged that Mourinho’s post-match comments constitute improper conduct, in that they call into question the integrity of the referee appointed to the above fixture (Mike Dean) and/or the integrity of Mr Mike Riley, general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, and/or the comments bring the game into disrepute. In relation to the same fixture, Chelsea assistant manager Rui Faria has admitted two misconduct breaches and requested a non-personal hearing.

“The first breach was that Faria used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official (Phil Dowd). The second breach was that Faria’s behaviour following the match referee’s request that he leave the technical area amounted to improper conduct. A date for both hearings will be set in due course.”

It is Mourinho’s latest brush with authority this season after receiving a charge related to his dismissal at Aston Villa last month as a point of principle and is considering his options after being hit with an £8,000 penalty, his second of the season after his sending-off against Cardiff. However, the Portuguese was tight-lipped on Friday following the charge.

“Every time I speak there is a consequence,” Mourinho said. “Even if I say that a referee was amazing, that was a reason to be with a charge. I can’t say the truth. I don’t feel free at all. If you want a better press conference, speak with the FA.”

Asked about the British sense of humour and sarcasm, Mourinho said: “So Mr Bean is in jail...”

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