UEFA opens disciplinary case against Mourinho

NYON, Switzerland (AP)—UEFA has opened a disciplinary case to investigate Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho’s “inappropriate” comments after his 10-man team lost to Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals.

UEFA did not specify charges on Thursday against the Portuguese coach, who suggested UEFA has actively tried to help Barcelona reach Champions League finals over the last three years.

Mourinho will also be investigated for being banished from the dugout following comments directed at match officials when midfielder Pepe was sent off after an hour when Wednesday’s game was still scoreless.

UEFA said its disciplinary committee will meet on May 6 to consider a range of incidents involving both clubs during an ill-tempered encounter in Madrid, where Barcelona went on to win 2-0.

“The case against Real Madrid is in relation to the throwing of missiles, a pitch invasion, the red card shown to Pepe, the dismissal of coach Jose Mourinho, as well as the inappropriate statement given by Mr. Mourinho to the media after the match,” UEFA said in a statement.

UEFA will examine whether Mourinho’s remarks at the news conference violated its sportsmanship rules, relating to “the basic rules of decent conduct.”

Mourinho suggested Barcelona got special treatment in 2009 when his former club Chelsea was eliminated after being denied several penalty appeals in the semifinals second-leg match. Last year, Mourinho’s Inter Milan reached the final despite playing with 10 men for most of the return match at Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium.

“I don’t understand. I don’t know if it’s publicity for (Barcelona’s sponsor) UNICEF or (FIFA and UEFA head of referees committee Angel) Villar’s influence in UEFA,” Mourinho complained on Wednesday. “They have the power and no one else has a chance.”

The UEFA panel also will consider sanctions against Barcelona after an angry scuffle between players and officials from both teams at halftime resulted in substitute goalkeeper Jose Pinto being shown a red card by German referee Wolfgang Stark.

UEFA acted after studying reports from Stark and its official match delegate Janis Mezeckis, the general secretary of Latvia’s football association.