Portuguese backing for Mourinho

JOSE PEREIRA, the president of the Association of Portuguese coaches, has backed Jose Mourinho after the Chelsea boss was accused of being “the enemy of soccer”.

Volker Roth, chairman of UEFA’s Referees’ Committee, criticised the former Porto coach after his alleged role in the retirement of referee Anders Frisk.

The Swedish official, who was accused by Mourinho of talking to Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard at half-time during the Champions League last-16 clash, decided to quit after receiving threats.

However Pereira believes Mourinho should not be made a scapegoat, and feels that Roth’s comments “were typical of someone who watches football from his armchair.”