Friday, May 6, 2011

Uefa hand Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho five-match ban

Josè Mourinho - Real Madrid (Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho has been handed a five-match ban and fined £44,000 by Uefa following his actions and comments during and after Real Madrid's Champions League semi-final first-leg tie against Barcelona.

Real Madrid have confirmed they will appeal this decision but as Mourinho has already served one game - his side's 1-1 draw on Tuesday at Camp Nou - and one other match is a suspended sentence, the Portuguese coach will miss his next three European games.

Following Real Madrid's defeat at home to Barcelona in the semi-final first leg, which included the dismissal of Pepe, who has already served his one-game suspension, Mourinho insinuated Barcelona were favoured by Uefa, a claim which was labelled as an "inappropriate statement" by the governing body.

Barcelona goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto, who was sent off at half-time for his involvement in a scuffle at the Bernabeu, has been suspended for three games, one of which has already been served.

Real Madrid have also been fined £17,000 for the "improper conduct of their supporters" during their first-leg tie.

"Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, who was dismissed from the bench in the first leg and made an inappropriate statement at the post-match interview, has been suspended for the next five Uefa club competition matches for which he would otherwise be eligible," read a statement on Uefa's website.

"The suspension includes the one-match ban for the match following the coach's dismissal, which was served for the return leg in Barcelona on Tuesday. The fifth match is suspended for a probationary period of three years. Mourinho has also been fined €50,000 [£44,000].

"Real Madrid have also been fined €20,000 [£17,000] for the improper conduct of their supporters.

"Meanwhile FC Barcelona goalkeeper Jose Pinto, who received a red card in the first leg match in Madrid, is suspended for three Uefa competition matches, and having already served a one-match ban for the return leg, will now also be suspended for the Uefa Champions League final on 28 May and the next Uefa club competition match for which he is eligible."

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