Mourinho contests FA charge



After losing his 77-match unbeaten home league run to a 2-1 loss to the Black Cats, Mourinho could not hide his anger behind a sarcastic appraisal of the match officials.

Mourinho, who masterminded a win at Liverpool to keep his side's slim title hopes alive on Sunday, has requested a "non-personal hearing", as has his assistant Rui Faria, who has admitted two charges of misconduct after being dismissed for angrily confronting the match officials.

Dates for the hearings are to be determined after Mourinho's latest brush with authority this season.

Mourinho challenged a charge related to his dismissal at Aston Villa last month as a point of principle and is considering his options after being hit with an ?8,000 penalty, his second of the season after his sending-off against Cardiff.

The Portuguese was tight-lipped on Friday following the charge.

"Every time I speak there is a consequence," Mourinho said.

"Even if I say that a referee was amazing that was a reason to be with a charge.

"I can't say the truth

I don't feel free at all

If you want a better press conference, speak with the FA."

Asked about the British sense of humour and sarcasm, Mourinho said: "So Mr Bean is in jail...

"I told the referee he was amazing, and I repeat: the referee was amazing.

"I was not surprised (by the disciplinary action)

In football I'm never surprised."

He is again unhappy he could be forced to pay a fine.

"When I have to give money, I prefer to do it privately," he said.

"My wife says that charity is anonymous

I prefer to do that than give money because people decide to take money out of my pocket."

Midfielder Ramires received a retrospective four-match ban, ending his domestic season, for striking Sebastian Larsson during the loss.

Mourinho was sarcastic in commenting on Ramires' ban.

"He's a lucky guy

We accept the charge because we are happy with it," Mourinho said.

The Brazil midfielder is available for Wednesday night's Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid, with the tie poised at 0-0.

Captain John Terry (ankle) and goalkeeper Petr Cech (shoulder) are injured, while Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel are suspended, when Chelsea play for a place in the May 24 final in Lisbon.

Mark Schwarzer will start in goal, Branislav Ivanovic is likely to partner Gary Cahill in central defence - providing Terry does not make an unexpected recovery - and Eden Hazard could return from his calf problem on the left wing.

Striker Samuel Eto'o (knee) could feature, but so, too, could Demba Ba - on the scoresheet against Paris St-Germain in the last round and at Anfield - or Fernando Torres.

Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah are ineligible.

Source : PA

Source: PA