Mourinho given five-match ban

06 May 2011 16:00

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has been handed a five-game European ban for his outbursts during the fiery Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona.

The former Chelsea boss has already served a one-match ban and another is suspended, meaning he will miss Madrid's first three European games next season. Mourinho has also been fined 50,000 euros by UEFA's control and disciplinary body for his sending-off and comments after the first leg.

The club said in a statement: "Real Madrid CF considers this resolution still suffers from the same defects found at the start of the disciplinary case, which made it impossible for our coach to use his right to defend himself, since the exact statements for which the disciplinary case was opened are still unknown."

Real Madrid midfielder Pepe has been given a one-game ban, which he served in the second leg, for his red card. Madrid, who were also fined 20,000 euros for the behaviour of their fans, have already announced they will appeal. The statement added: "Real Madrid CF will appeal this decision before the UEFA appeals body."

Barcelona reserve keeper Jose Pinto, who was red-carded after a scuffle at half-time at the Bernabeu, has been given a three-game ban.

Mourinho was sent off after protesting against Pepe's red card, and in the post-match press conference claimed Barcelona had yet to win a "clean" Champions League title under Pep Guardiola. He then said: "It's clear that against Barcelona you have no chance.

"I don't understand why. I don't know if it's the publicity of UNICEF [the club's shirt sponsor], I don't know if it's the friendship of [Spanish football federation president Angel Maria] Villar at UEFA, where he is vice-president, I don't know if it's because they are very nice, but they have got this power. The rest of us have no chance.

"Guardiola is a fantastic coach, but he has won one Champions League which I would be ashamed to win after the scandal at Stamford Bridge and this year, if he wins it again, it will be after the scandal at the Bernabeu."

Mourinho was referring to the Champions League semi-final between Barcelona and Chelsea in 2009, when the London side had four penalty claims turned down.

The Portuguese coach has a long disciplinary history with UEFA. He was banned from the touchline for two matches in 2005 for alleging then-Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard had influenced referee Anders Frisk, while earlier this season he was banned for one match after appearing to instruct Real players Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos to be deliberately sent off.

Source: PA