Johnson wins Jose apology
20 Dec 2006 - 12:21:02
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has apologised for the comments he made about Andy Johnson after Sunday's Premiership clash between the two sides.
Mourinho insinuated that the England international had tried to win a penalty for his side by diving, but now admits he was in the wrong.
"First I would like to say I have the utmost respect for Everton Football Club, David Moyes and their players," Mourinho told Chelsea's official website.
"That's why I love to play them, and especially at Goodison Park where the atmosphere is magnificent.
"Secondly, after the match, I was clear and said Andy Johnson is a great player and I never used aggressive words, like some managers did against my players in previous seasons, or like some others recently said about him and Ronaldo. I never used the word cheat.
"After seeing it again on the video, Mr Halsey did wonderful work and both decisions for penalties were correct.
"Did Andy Johnson try to avoid a collision with my goalkeeper? It seems now the answer to that is yes so Everton, his manager and he deserve my apologies."
Everton had urged the FA and the Premier League to act on Mourinho's post-match comments.
The Blues boss had said: "He's dangerous for opponents because you cannot trust him, and I was not happy with that.
"I've been in this country for three years now and I am influenced by your culture. It is a country I admire, I am proud to be part of it.
"In my country we call them 'intelligent' players. In other countries you can use different words and are critical."