Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Mourinho mocks Riley over call
Chelsea coach incensed after ref phones Baggies to apologise over penalty decision
JOSE MOURINHO has criticised the decision of referees’ chief Mike Riley to apologise to Steve Clarke for the decision that denied West Bromwich Albion victory at Stamford Bridge.
West Brom manager Clarke and his players were left incensed when referee Andre Marriner awarded an addedtime penalty for Mourinho’s Chelsea side when the Blues were trailing 2-1 in their recent Premier League clash.
Controversy surrounded the decision with Chelsea midfielder Ramires accused of going to ground under an innocuous challenge from West Brom’s Steven Reid although Mourinho maintains Marriner got it right.
Clarke confirmed this week he had received a call from Riley to apologise for the decision, prompting Mourinho to question whether the head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited had now set a precedent.
“I’m very curious to know if it was just an isolated phone call,” Chelsea manager Mourinho said yesterday. “I’m curious to know if people see that as a normal situation. I’m interested to know if that was the start and, from now on, it’ll be the same for everybody. I’m very curious to know, and to know the consequences of it.”
He added: “At least the referees now know one thing: if in a controversial decision – I’m not saying a mistake – that hypothetically, hypothetically, favours Chelsea, they know they will be publicly exposed by their boss.
“They can make hypothetical mistakes favouring other teams and nothing happens. If, hypothetically, they make a mistake they are publicly exposed by their own boss.”
And referring to other managers who have been on the receiving end of debatable decisions this season, he added: “I’m curious to know if Steve Bruce ( Hull City) got a phonecall. I’m interested to know if Chris Hughton (Norwich) got a phonecall. I’m interested to know if (Swansea’s Michael) Laudrup got a phonecall.
“Nobody called me to apologise about the fact that it was not a free-kick against West Bromwich ahead of their second goal, or the penalty at Everton that would have been 1-1 for us. I don’t know if (Aston Villa manager) Paul Lambert got a phonecall. I don’t know.”
Mourinho also condemned comments from West Brom
“I’m curious to know if Steve Bruce (Hull City) got a phonecall. I'm interested to know if Chris Hughton (Norwich) got a phonecall. I’m interested to know if (Swansea’s Michael) Laudrup got a phonecall”
centre-back Jonas Olsson, who claimed the manager called him a “Mickey Mouse player” in the tunnel after the game.
“I think giant players, giant coaches and giant clubs don’t speak about what happens in the tunnel. The game is the game. The game finished.
“In the tunnel, sometimes, a couple of things happen. A couple of words. Not aggressions. Nothing. But giant clubs, giant players and giant managers close their mouth. The next day is another day.”
Mourinho revealed left-back Ashley Cole is in contention for the visit to West Ham United after a rib injury but striker Fernando Torres will miss the trip across London.
“Fernando is not ready. Not yet. Almost, but not yet. And Ashley Cole is selected. He still feels it a little bit, but we know it’s a situation that he’ll have pain for quite a long time. But he’s selected.”
Mourinho admitted to concerns about his side’s away form following the recent defeat at Newcastle United.
“We have to do better, I agree. We had very difficult matches away. Our fixtures, until now, were not the easiest, especially when we speak about matches away.
“We played already against two title contenders. We played against Everton and Newcastle, always difficult stadiums. Not teams who fight for the table, but fight for the second block of teams,” said Mourinho, whose team are four points behind leaders Arsenal.” – Sapa-AFP