Source: Daily_Mail
Mourinho fined £35,000 and banned for three matches after 'handcuffs' gesture
Gesture: Jose Mourinho[LNB]Jose Mourinho has been fined £35,000 and handed a three-match touchline ban for abusing referees during Inter Milan's goalless draw against Sampdoria.[LNB]The Italian League meted out punishment swiftly following the outrage that followed the former Chelsea boss's antics on Saturday.[LNB]On a bad-tempered evening in which two of his players were sent off, Mourinho made what appeared to be a handcuffs gesture in criticism of decisions which went against his side.[LNB]Referees have grown so tired with his behaviour that they had reportedly threatened to strike if he was not handed a suspension.[LNB] Walter Samuel and Ivan Cordoba, sent off against Sampdoria, receive automatic one-game bans, while Sulley Muntari and Esteban Cambiasso were suspended for two games for other incidents.[LNB] Off day: Walter Samuel (centre) was one of three players sent off by referee Paolo Tagliavento during Inter Milan and Sampdoria's goalless draw on Saturday[LNB]Close encounter: Samuel Eto'o is none too pleased to receive a yellow card[LNB]Former Portsmouth midfielder Muntari was sanctioned for insulting match officials while Argentina midfielder Cambiasso was punished for attempting to punch a Sampdoria player.[LNB]The bans will not affect Inter's Champions League last 16 matches against Chelsea.[LNB]Mourinho was punished not only for the gesture, but for repeatedlycriticising officials during the match and afterwards in the tunnel.[LNB]The League said he 'repeatedly challenged the officials, especially by mimicking handcuffs with his wrists and arms crossed, and faced the crowds and television cameras. Also, he insulted the referee and his assistants in the tunnel and also repeatedly insulted officials.'[LNB]Following the game, Inter were so incensed that no one was made available for a post-match interview.[LNB]Influencial AC Milangeneral manager Adriano Galliani, a former president of the ItalianLeague, also fears an unsavoury reaction.[LNB]'The attitudes of somecoaches are tantamount to an incitement to violence,' said Galliani.'We cannot continue like this. Mourinho should stop certain gestures.'[LNB]Galliani also hit out at Inter for not talking to the media after Saturday's draw. [LNB]'My regret from when I was president of the League is failing to prevent the press blackout .[LNB]'In American sports it is strictly prohibited and also in the Champions League. In Italy we aren't able to ban it. [LNB]'Idon't know why the presidents harm to themselves. The news blackout issomething out of this world, football teams live on television revenuesand indirectly with those of the print media, who feed the attentionfor their fans.'[LNB]Before the Sampdoria match, Mourinho hit theheadlines by referring to a controversial penalty won by Juventus aweek earlier when Alessandro Del Piero was clearly fouled outside thepenalty box. It helped the Turin side to a 3-2 win against Genoa.[LNB]'Idon't stick my head in the sand, I know there is only one team (inItaly) that has a penalty area 25 metres (27 yards) long,' he jibed.[LNB] Jose backlash: Italian refs threaten to strike over boss's 'handcuffs' gestureDES KELLY: Inter boss Mourinho is happiest in the role of panto villain...Forget Jose's mind games! Petr Cech warns Chelsea team-mates to ignore Mourinho ahead of Champions League showdownMourinho taunts Chelsea over losses ahead of Euro clash with Inter MilanChelsea striker Michael Ballack wary of facing old boss Jose MourinhoCHELSEA FC
