Jose happy to face FA over ref rap

Last updated : 13 January 2005 By Paul Lagan

Steely-eyed Jose Mourinho will welcome a trip to FA headquarters to reiterate his claim that referee Neale Barry's performance on Wednesday night was questionable.

The Chelsea boss claimed after the goal-less draw against Manchester United that Barry was got at by Red Devil boss Sir Alex Ferguson at half-time.

Mourinho said: "What I thought, felt and saw at half-time, it’s important (for me) to understand a few things.”
He clarified that by saying “When the ref blew the half time whistle he did not walk alone to the dressing room, he should go with his officials, there was someone with him I’ll tell the FA what I saw.

I could not understand it.

“It’s easy then to understand the change of the ref’s performance from the first to second half.

"A big personality was influenced the ref.

“I’m serious about this, but I have to laugh also about it."

His claim that he will tell the FA what he saw was a clear indicator that Mourinho will fight any charge that the bods at Soho Square may try to level at him.

He will bring into question, Barry's behaviour at half-time and show via video any evidence to support his view.

The FA may be forced into an embarrassing climbdown if they fear that Mourinho has cast iron evidence.

What do you think?
Is Mourinho's outburst an attempt to deflect criticism for a poor Chelsea result?
Or is he right to highlight Fergie gamesmanship?

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