Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has escaped with a one-match Champions League ban and a fine after UEFA found him guilty of improper conduct relating to the recent dismissals of players Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos.
Mourinho has been banned from the touchline for two UEFA competition matches - the second of which is suspended for three years - with the club fined 120,000 euros after the two players seemed to deliberately incur second bookings, therefore wiping out previous cautions ahead of the Champions League knockout stage.
The Portuguese coach will consequently only miss the dead rubber against Auxerre, providing he does not breach UEFA rules within "a probationary period of three years".
While Mourinho has also been fined to the tune of 40,000 euros, the players involved have escaped with only financial penalties by UEFA's control and disciplinary body.
Alonso and Ramos - who both received second yellow cards for conspicuous time wasting - must pay 20,000 euros each. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas and his reserve Jerzy Dudek, who seemed to pass on messages, must pay 10,000 euros and 5,000 euros respectively. The one-match bans automatically handed to Alonso and Ramos for the dismissals will stand.
UEFA's statement read: "Following the opening of disciplinary proceedings concerning the improper conduct of Real Madrid CF coach Jose Mourinho and players Xabi Alonso, Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas and Jerzy Dudek during the UEFA Champions League Group G game against AFC Ajax in Amsterdam on Tuesday 23 November, the UEFA control and disciplinary body dealt with the case today and decided the following:
"The Spanish club's coach Jose Mourinho has been suspended from coaching activities for two UEFA club competition matches, of which the second is deferred for a probationary period of three years. He was also fined 40,000 euros.
"Players Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos were fined 20,000 euros, Iker Casillas was fined 10,000 euros and Jerzy Dudek was fined 5,000 euros.
"The red cards given to Alonso and Ramos stand, and they have therefore been suspended for one UEFA club competition match.
"The control and disciplinary body has decided to fine Real Madrid CF 120,000 euros. An appeal may be lodged against the ruling within three days of the dispatch of the reasoning for the decision."
Source: PA
