manager Jose Mourinho
has denied a charge of
misconduct levelled against him
by England's governing Football
Association folowing comments
he made after the Premier
League title-chasers shock loss to Sunderland.
The Black Cats ended Mourinho's 77-match
unbeaten home league run as Chelsea manager
with a stunning 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge
last month.
Afterwards, Mourinho mocked the officials by
saying: "Congratulations to (referee) Mike
Dean, because he made a fantastic performance.
"And congratulations to Mike Riley (head of
refereeing body Professional Game Match
Officials Limited), because what they did
during the season was fantastic for the way
the championship is going.
"So congratulations to all of them, and I have
nothing more to say. I'm sorry."
During the course of the match the Portuguese
boss's assistant Rui Faria angrily confronted
the match officials on the touchline and had to
be restrained by several Chelsea staff,
including Mourinho, before he was sent off.
Monday saw Faria admit to two FA charges of
misconduct after Chelsea midfielder Ramires
had already received a retrospective four-match
ban, ending his domestic season, for swinging
an arm and striking Sunderland's Sebastian
Larsson during the April 19 match.
A FA statement said: "Jose Mourinho has denied
an FA charge and requested a non-personal
hearing in relation to comments he made
following Chelsea's game against Sunderland
on April 19, 2014.
"It is alleged that Mourinho's post-match
comments constitute improper conduct, in that
they call into question the integrity of the
referee appointed to the above fixture (Mike
Dean) and/or the integrity of Mr Mike Riley,
general manager of the Professional Game
Match Officials Limited, and/or the comments
bring the game into disrepute.
"In relation to the same fixture, Chelsea
assistant manager Rui Faria has admitted two
misconduct breaches and requested a non-
personal hearing.
"The first breach was that Faria used abusive
and/or insulting words towards the fourth
official (Phil Dowd). The second breach was
that Faria's behaviour following the match
referee's request that he leave the technical
area amounted to improper conduct.
"A date for both hearings will be set in due
course."
Mourinho has already been sent off at both
Cardiff and Aston Villa this season.
Speaking about his latest brush with authority
on Friday, Mourinho said: "Every time I speak
there is a consequence. Even if I say that a
referee was amazing that was a reason to be
with a charge.
"I can't say the truth. I don't feel free at all. If
you want a better press conference, speak with
the FA.
"I told the referee he was amazing, and I
repeat: the referee was amazing."
Mourinho was also bitterly sarcastic regarding
Ramiers's ban, by saying: "He's a lucky guy.
We accept the charge because we are happy
with it."
As for the prospect of another fine, Mourinho
said: "When I have to give money, I prefer to
do it privately.
"My wife says that charity is anonymous. I
prefer to do that than give money because
people decide to take money out of my pocket."
Chelsea, now just two points behind Liverpool
in the Premier League title race after a 2-0 win
at Anfield on Sunday, face Atletico Madrid in
the second leg of a currently goalless
Champions League semifinal at Stamford Bridge
on Wednesday.
