Mourinho faces UEFA disrepute charge

UEFA have charged Chelsea, manager Jose Mourinho, assistant manager Steve Clarke and club security official Les Miles with bringing the game into disrepute with “wrong and unfounded statements” after a Champions League match against Barcelona.

UEFA said the charges related to “false declarations” in a report sent by Chelsea following their Champions League first leg tie against Barca at the Nou Camp on February 23.

After the match, Mourinho accused Barca manager Frank Rijkaard of going into the referees’ room to see Anders Frisk during the half-time interval and Chelsea included that accusation in a report sent to UEFA.

A UEFA statement on www.uefa.com said: “UEFA today announced the opening of disciplinary proceedings against Chelsea FC, head coach José Mourinho, assistant manager Steve Clarke and security responsible Les Miles, for making false declarations, notably in the complaint sent by Chelsea FC following the UEFA Champions League match played against FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou on 23 February 2005.

“By further disseminating these wrong and unfounded statements, Chelsea FC allowed its technical staff to deliberately create a poisoned and negative ambience amongst the teams and to put pressure on the refereeing officials,” the statement continued.

UEFA said the disciplinary case would be dealt with by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body on March 31.

Article 5, paragraph 1 of the UEFA disciplinary regulations – ’Principles of Conduct’ – state: that “Member associations, clubs, as well as their players, officials and members, shall conduct themselves according to the principles of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship.”

In addition, Article 5, paragraph 2 d) stipulates that a breach of these principles is incurred by anyone “whose conduct brings the sport of football, and UEFA in particular, into disrepute”.