FA asks Mourinho to explain remarks
The fall-out from the acrimonious Manchester derby continued yesterday with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho being asked to explain his pre-match comments about referee Michael Oliver.
Mourinho had used the build-up to last Sunday’s top of the table clash at Old Trafford to urge Oliver to clamp down on what he perceived to be Manchester City’s deliberate “tactical fouling”.
Managers are not allowed to discuss referees or apply any undue influence over officials and the Football Association has requested Mourinho provide his observations on his remarks about Oliver.
It is unlikely the United manager will be formally charged or fined over the matter but he could be reminded of responsibilities or issued with a warning by the FA. He has been given until 6pm on Monday to respond.
“I know, yes, yes,” Mourinho had said when City’s reputed tactic of strategic fouling was suggested to him. “I know. It is a strategy that they have. They put lots of people in attacking areas.
“When they lose the ball, they are many times unbalanced in numbers, they have lots of people surrounding the ball area and they have a very strong – and this is a great quality – transition in the next few seconds after they lose the ball.
“And many times, they need what is called a tactical foul and then it is up to the referee to analyse and to make a decision about it but I cannot speak about that.”
Asked if he felt City would adopt such an approach as a means of thwarting United’s counter-attacks, Mourinho added: “My answer always has to be, ‘The referee has to do his job’ and I cannot speak about the referee.”
The FA have already asked United and City to provide their accounts of what happened during the tunnel bust-up after the match, which City won 2-1 to move 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League. The clubs were due to provide their findings on Wednesday but were given additional time by the FA, which is investigating the fracas, and must now submit their written observations by 6pm today.
The City coach Mikel Arteta was left with a cut above the eye and Mourinho had milk and water thrown in his direction.
Mourinho accused City of a lack of respect over the post-match celebrations that prompted the Portuguese to confront City players in the away dressing room, which sparked a 15-man melee. But City manager Pep Guardiola insisted his side’s celebrations were above board and had not been over the top.