Stinging UEFA rebuke for Mourinho

UEFA’s most senior official last night delivered a stinging rebuke clearly aimed at Jose Mourinho in the wake of the decision by referee Anders Frisk to retire following death threats from Chelsea fans.

The match official was severely criticised by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who accused him of talking to his Barcelona counterpart Frank Rijkaard at half-time during the Champions League first leg.

Frisk, 42, has announced his retirement following the threats despite efforts by UEFA to talk him out of his decision.

UEFA chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson said: “We will not allow the slandering of match officials to become part of pre-match tactics.

We must sanction anyone within the football family who makes inflammatory statements that could jeopardise the security of match officials and their families and brings the game into disrepute.

“Managers, coaches and players have become role models for society, especially as far as young people are concerned. With fame also comes responsibility. Everyone involved in the game should therefore think twice before uttering provocative remarks that could be construed by others as inciting trouble.”

Olsson made a personal plea to the Swedish official to change his mind but Frisk would not be budged.

The UEFA chief executive added: “It is wholly unacceptable that a top international referee, someone who has officiated with great dignity and integrity at the highest end of the game, is pressured into retiring in this way.”

Chelsea last night declared themselves ready to act if it can be proven that their own supporters made the threats which convinced Frisk to retire.