Mourinho fails with appeal

Jose Mourinho’s troubled relationship with football authorities continued today when his appeal against a fine for improper conduct was dismissed.

The Chelsea boss unsuccessfully appealed against a £5,000 (€7,400) punishment imposed by the Football Association following comments he made after the Carling Cup first leg against Manchester United.

Since the fine was handed out by FA officials, Mourinho and Chelsea have been at the centre of a number of controversial incidents in a hugely successful season when they have won the Carling Cup and Barclays Premiership.

Mourinho was last week fined £200,000 (€297,800) for his part in an illegal meeting with Arsenal full-back Ashley Cole, although it is unclear whether he will appeal against the punishment from the Premier League.

His comments after the goalless first leg against United in January was one of the first controversial incidents, with Chelsea’s conduct making the headlines since.

“In the second half it was whistle and whistle, fault and fault, cheat and cheat,” Mourinho said after his side were frustrated by United, although Chelsea won the second leg at Old Trafford and went on to lift the trophy.

A statement on the FA’s website read: “At an appeal board hearing, an appeal by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been dismissed.

“At at a hearing on March 10, an Independent Disciplinary Commission found the charge to be proven. Mourinho was fined £5,000 (€7,400) and warned to his future conduct. This decision was the subject of today’s Appeal Board hearing.”

Mourinho has also been reprimanded by UEFA this season, receiving a two-match touchline ban and a fine of around £9,000 (€13,400) for bringing the game into disrepute by making “wrong and unfounded” statements about referee Anders Frisk.

Mourinho refused to attend post-match media duties after their Champions League last-16 first-leg clash against Barcelona, complaining that Frisk was talking to Barca boss Frank Rijkaard in the interval.

The unsavoury incident led to UEFA referees committee chairman Volker Roth calling the former Porto boss an “enemy of football”.

Despite winning the Carling Cup, Mourinho was criticised for his infamous “ssh” gesture to fans after the late equaliser against Liverpool. Officials later reminded Mourinho of his responsibility to abide by FA rules governing the conduct of managers.