AJ accepts Jose's apology
21 Dec 2006 - 15:16:54
Everton striker Andrew Johnson hopes his spat with Jose Mourinho is over after the Chelsea manager apologised for the comments he made after Sunday's match between the two sides.
Mourinho suggested the England international had tried to win a penalty by diving but has since retracted his accusations.
Johnson was happy with the former FC Porto manager's words, telling Everton's official website: "I'm pleased that Mr Mourinho has apologised for the comments he made.
"I have the utmost respect for both Chelsea Football Club and Mr Mourinho as a manager.
"Everton Football Club and myself can now concentrate on the games ahead. I'd like to thank Everton Football Club, my manager David Moyes, my team-mates and my agent for all their support. This is now the end of the matter."
Mourinho said in a statement on Wednesday: "First I would like to say I have the utmost respect for Everton Football Club, David Moyes and their players.
"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."