Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho defends UEFA Champions League outburst
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has defended his rant following his side’s 2-0 defeat to Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night. The Madrid boss has been the subject of much criticism for his remarks after the match, but he stands by his comments.
Mourinho had launched an amazing attack on Barcelona football club in the post-match conference at the Bernabeu, going so far as to suggest that the Catalans used their influence in UEFA to gain favourable refereeing decisions.
The enigmatic Portuguese was furious at referee Wolfgang Stark’s decision to show Pepe a straight red card in the 61st minute, something that Mourinho believes has ended his side’s hopes of progressing to the Champions League final.
Speaking after the match, the Madrid boss said, “If I told Uefa and him (Wolfgang Stark) what I thought and feel I would end my career now. Where does this power (of Barcelona) come from? I don't know if it's because they give Unicef publicity (on their shirts)?"
He added, “I respect him (Guardiola) a great deal as a manager and a person... but I would like to see him win a Champions League without scandals. Pep is a fantastic football coach and he has won one Champions League. I would be ashamed to have won it after the scandal of Stamford Bridge (when he said http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 should have had four penalties).”
UEFA has charged the Portuguese for inappropriate comments following his furious post-match tirade; however, Mourinho refuses to back down from his claims of foul play.
Mourinho urged reporters to analyse images of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pepe-c29670’s tackle, which show that a red card was indeed a harsh decision. He said, “An image is worth more than a thousand words. I said what I said and I have nothing to add. Whoever criticises my words must criticise the images and think that the photos have been edited by photoshop and that the video was staged."
Real Madrid will go up against Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League tie at the Nou Camp on 3rd May.
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