Hackett calls for Mourinho retraction

Referees chief Keith Hackett today called for Jose Mourinho to retract comments claiming Neale Barry was influenced by Alex Ferguson during Chelsea’s clash with Manchester United.

The Blues boss was unhappy with Barry walking down the tunnel with the United manager at half-time of the goalless Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge.

Hackett, who is head of the Professional Game Match Official Limited, believes Mourinho has questioned the integrity of one of the country’s top referees.

He has urged the former Porto boss to apologise for his comments after looking at the Scunthorpe official’s second-half performance, claiming referees have been caught up in the battle between the title-chasing managers.

Mourinho could face a Football Association disrepute charge after his comments immediately after the game but Hackett believes the manager should make the first move.

Hackett said: “I’m hoping he might reconsider his comments, unfortunately this is the nature of the game.

“I don’t want referees or myself getting in the psychological warfare between two managers. For the second leg we have an experienced referee, and we should be talking about the quality of that game rather than the refereeing.

“Sometimes managers have grounds for comments, and I note that, but a referees integrity has been questioned, that is offensive and should be avoided. Mr Mourinho should look at the facts.”

Barry made a key decision in the first half of the Stamford Bridge clash last night, turning down a penalty appeal when United striker Louis Saha went down in the penalty area after challenges from Paulo Ferreira and Tiago.

Hackett revealed that Ferguson and Barry did have an exchange of words at half-time, but the conversation was not to pressurise the official.

“There was a quip said with no venom, it was only a comment to Neale that ‘there’s two sides to the game’,” Hackett added.

“Neale is one of our most experienced referees and was not influenced by that comment, the facts answer that, it’s simple. In the second half there were 19 free-kicks, 10 of them went to Chelsea and nine of them went to Manchester United.

Hackett has called for Mourinho to follow the proper procedures if he wants to make a complaint, although he accepts managers make comments immediately after a game when tensions are still high.

“Managers have very clear lines of communication with officials,” he added. “They can speak to the referee 30 minutes after the game for a private conversation. If they are still unhappy they can speak to an independent match delegate, who are former managers or players, who watch referees and include comments in their reports.

“The third line is with the League Managers Association, who are very pro-active and we have a good with the chairman John Barnwell.

“But sometimes the managers have to say something 10 minutes after a game when adrenaline is still high”