Jose Mourinho faces charges over ‘unsporting conduct’ by UEFA
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has been involved in a controversy, yet again. The European football governing body UEFA has decided to probe into the incidents that occurred on Tuesday night, in Madrid’s match against Ajax FC.
UEFA will investigate the manner in which two Madrid players, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos were sent off, due to time wasting. It has been alleged that Jose spoke to the players and instructed them to get their 2nd yellow
cards for the night. The bookings meant that the Spanish duo would be banned for the next European tie.
It was a clever move from the ‘Special One’ as the suspension will imply the absence of his key players in an insignificant group-stage fixture rather than a Champions League knockout match.
However, Mourinho’s cunning plan may backfire, if the involved players are found guilty of the charges pressed against them. The circle of investigation will also include Real’s captain Iker Casillas and reserve goalkeeper Jerzy
Dudek, who are believed to be Mourinho’s abettors in the incident.
The Portuguese master tactician, however, denied such allegations in his post-match interview. He said, "I spoke with many players throughout the game, not only with Ramos and Alonso. Stories sell, but the important thing is the
4-0 win and the fantastic game we had. Let's talk about that and not other things."
This is not the first time when Mourinho has been involved in an off-the-pitch controversy. While managing English side Chelsea FC, he was handed a two match touchline ban by UEFA in 2005. Jose accused his counter-part, Frank Rijkaard
for talking to the referee during the half time interval in Chelsea’s clash with FC Barcelona in the knockout round of UEFA Champions League.
Mourinho is heavily tipped to win the Champions League with Real Madrid this season. If successful, he will become the first manager in European football history to achieve continental glory with three different clubs; his previous
triumphs were with FC Porto in 2004 and FC Internazionale in 2010.
Meanwhile, Romanian club CFR Cluj sacked their manager Sorin Cartu for improper behaviour on the sidelines, in their Champions League match against the Russian side FC Basel.
The club also issued a statement, which said, “The values and image of our club cannot be associated with the actions of coach Sorin Cartu and that is why we have decided to part ways.”
Sorin was seen kicking the dugout panel, which sent pieces of plastic flying through the air. Cluj have also officially apologised to UEFA and the Swiss club after the incident.
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