Share

Mourinho apologises to fans

Madrid - Jose Mourinho apologised to Real Madrid fans for losing his cool during the brawl toward the end of last week's Spanish Supercup, which could cost the Portuguese coach a 12-game ban.

Mourinho issued a statement on Madrid's website on Tuesday, but made a point to direct his words only toward Madrid fans.

"(I) wish to apologise to Madridistas, and only to them, for my attitude in our last game," Mourinho said. "Some people are better adapted to the hypocrisy in football than I am, and they hide their faces and speak in whispers deep inside tunnels.

"I'm not learning to be a hypocrite, and I don't want to."

The Spanish football federation opened disciplinary proceedings against Barcelona and Madrid on Tuesday, six days after Barcelona won the trophy in a match marred by an ugly finale punctuated by Mourinho's actions.

Mourinho walked toward Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova and appeared to poke him in the eye during the onfield melee between both benches.

Under rules 98 and 100 of the federation disciplinary code, the Portuguese coach could be banned between four to 12 games while Vilanova - whose actions are being investigated under articles 111 and 122 - could be sanctioned for four games after retaliating with a push.

Mourinho also sought to dismiss reports in Spain that he may seek to leave the club, after his spokesman Eladio Parames reportedly told Canal Plus TV that "he doesn't feel embraced by the club directors."

Parames subsequently denied the remark and said Mourinho was "happy" at Madrid and looking to see out his deal, which runs to 2014.

Mourinho said his exit was "impossible."

"Only those who don't know me can dream, make up or believe I may leave Real Madrid at this stage," Mourinho said in the statement. "There is no way I'm leaving. No way!"

Mourinho's actions at the Camp Nou seem to have been a result of the obvious tension between the bitter rivals, who have played six times since April.

The altercation came when both benches cleared onto the field following Madrid defender Marcelo's ugly challenge on Cesc Fabregas just before injury time.

Marcelo and team-mate Mesut Ozil and Barcelona striker David Villa were all subsequently shown red cards and were all given one-game bans by the federation on Tuesday.

The clubs have 10 days to present their cases.

Barcelona won the match at the Camp Nou 3-2 and the two-legged series 5-4 for their 10th Supercup.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
loading... Live
Glasgow Warriors 21
Sharks 10
loading... Live
North West 146/4
Warriors RSA 145/7
loading... Live
Titans RSA 135/8
Lions 154/8
loading... Live
Ulster 13
Cardiff Rugby 14
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1818 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1778 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1084 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 461 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 187 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 254 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE