Official adamant Mourinho 'incited' fans

Carling Cup Final fourth official Phil Crossley has defended his decision to send off Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho was asked to leave the pitchside after raising his finger to his lips when Steven Gerrard’s late own goal equaliser enabled Chelsea to go on and secure an extra-time victory.

The Chelsea boss apologised but insisted his gesture was aimed at media critics, who were on the other side of the stadium, rather than the thousands of Liverpool fans, who were sitting just behind him.

However, Crossley told The Sun: “Once he had vacated the technical area I went to retrieve him and by the time I’d got hold of him I felt he had incited the supporters there. The Liverpool fans were upset.

“It is in my jurisdiction to make sure Mr Mourinho keeps strictly in the technical area, but he went 10 or 15 metres down the line. That’s not acceptable behaviour.

“Whatever his gestures meant, it could have been misconstrued and the reaction of the Liverpool fans proved that. I felt it was a public order issue.”