Mourinho charge dropped

09 April 2009 17:36
No action will be taken against Jose Mourinho over allegations he punched a Manchester United fan outside Old Trafford. The Inter Milan manager had allegedly hit out at a supporter after his side had lost 2-0 at Old Trafford in their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie on March 11th. The fan had claimed that the former Chelsea boss had lashed out just before he boarded the team coach but Inter officials have always strongly denied the charge. Greater Manchester Police decided to study CCTV footage of the alleged incident even though the fan was not deemed to be seriously injured. It has now been confirmed that the fan does not wish to pursue the allegation and a Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said the following. "The Code for Crown Prosecutors - the guidance that CPS lawyers follow - requires that, for a case to go ahead, there must be a realistic prospect of conviction and that it must be in the public interest to prosecute. "However, when considering the public interest, Crown Prosecutors have to take into account the consequences for the victim of whether or not to prosecute and any views expressed by the victim or the victim's family. "In this instance, having taken all of the above into consideration, the reviewing lawyer decided that a prosecution was not required in the public interest." Police statementMeanwhile Greater Manchester Police responded by releasing this statement. "Greater Manchester Police is aware of the Crown Prosecution Service's decision not to bring charges after an allegation of assault was made following the Manchester United-Inter game in March. "A full investigation was carried out after this allegation and the victim has been kept apprised of all developments and is supportive of this decision."

Source: SKY_Sports