UEFA ease Mourinho suspension
Reuters - Friday 29 July 2011, 17:35
NYON - Real Madrid coach
Jose Mourinho was given an incentive to behave himself when UEFA
slightly eased his five-match European ban, imposed for his
sending-off against Barcelona, at an appeal on Friday.
UEFA said that the final two matches of the ban would be
suspended, meaning that the Portuguese would only serve them if
he re-offended in a probationary period of three years.
A 50,000-euro fine was maintained on Mourinho, who
was ordered from the touchline during the stormy Champions
League semi-final first leg which his side lost 2-0.
After the match, he implied that Barcelona received
favourable treatment from UEFA and made disparaging remarks
about his opposite number Pep Guardiola.
The Portuguese has already served one ban in the return leg
of the semi-final, meaning he effectively has two matches left,
which will be served in the group stage of the 2011/12
competition.
Mourinho, looking tanned but deeply unhappy, left UEFA
headquarters without waiting for the verdict. After spending six
hours at the hearing, he was ushered into a waiting car by Real
Madrid officials and refused to speak to reporters.
He had said the previous day that he was not bothered by the
hearing and wanted to get back to Madrid for an evening training
session.
The ban means that Mourinho is not even allowed into the
stadium for the matches involved.