No appeal as Mourinho remains tight-lipped on ban

CHELSEA have confirmed they will not be appealing against the two-match touchline ban imposed on manager Jose Mourinho by UEFA.

The Portuguese manager was banned from the touchline for Chelsea’s Champions League quarter-final tie against Bayern Munich, starting with the first leg at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.

The club have decided against appealing the ban, claiming it would interfere with preparations for the game and could also lead to Mourinho’s ban being extended by UEFA.

Mourinho, meanwhile, is keeping his own counsel over his touchline ban. He is thought to be unhappy the club had decided not to appeal against his ban but the Portuguese has decided not to reveal his thoughts.

Mourinho said: “I’m not on the bench on Wednesday, and also next week, and it’s something that I don’t want to comment or say what I have in myself. It’s clear you cannot say too much. I must keep quiet.”

Mourinho is confident his players can beat Bayern Munich despite being in the stands.

He added: “The team is ready. We know the way we want to play, we study the opponent. We know the opponents’ style and their good qualities.”

As he watches from the stands, Mourinho will be trying to work out how to get the better of Bayern in the second leg.

“I will be following the game like I always do. Between the first game and the second game I can work with the team. I will have my eyes completely open to try to prepare the team for the second game.”

Mourinho revealed striker Mikael Forssell would make his return from injury to be on the bench tomorrow night. Forssell cut a second season on loan at Birmingham short after suffering a knee injury which required surgery.

Forssell had not been expected to play again this season but comes in as Arjen Robben is injured and Mateja Kezman is suspended.

“We need strikers for the game and his (Forssell’s) work is absolutely fantastic,” said Mourinho.

“His mentality is fantastic. He is a big help because of his strong mentality,” said Mourinho.