Jose Mourinho was away from press conference duty last week after being charged by the Football Association following his comments about referees after the Blues’ 1-1 draw at Southampton in December.
[ RELATED: “Campaign” against Chelsea ]
Mourinho said that there was a “clear campaign” against Chelsea following Cesc Fabregas being booked for diving instead of a clear penalty being awarded to his side against Saints, hence the charge, and Mourinho has since been less than complimentary about other referees and did not deny a claim that he called referee Phil Dowd “too fat to referee” when Chelsea lost to Tottenham 5-3 on New Year’s Day.
But now the Portuguese coach is siding with the officials in his latest outing in front of the press before Chelsea’s game against Swansea on Saturday (Watch live, 10 a.m. ET online via Live Extra), but Mourinho also had a subtle dig at Chelsea’s main rivals for the Premier League title, Manchester City, and how they were able to sign Wilfried Bony for $42 million earlier this week despite strict Financial Fair Play rules.
“Well done, well done. He is a good striker and they [Manchester City] can spend the money if they have no problems with Financial Fair Play. Well done,” Mourinho said. “They can only play with 11 unless the rules for them are different and they can play with 12. It looks like rules are different for them in certain aspects but in this one (players on the pitch), it will be no different. If Bony plays and Edin Dzeko is on the bench, I am happy with that.”
Mourinho did not stand down about the “campaign” against Chelsea but did sympathize with the tough job officials have and admitted his own mistake when he recently questioned referee Kevin Friend following a jibe about a penalty kick which was not given in the FA Cup match against Watford.
“We’re not against the referees,” Mourinho added. “We understand the job is not an easy one. I am happy to admit my mistakes, so when I spoke with Kevin Friend and realized that it was my mistake and not his mistake, I was more than happy to apologize, so there are no problems. But the reality is that every decision is going against us and the results were affected by that but far from us – very far from us – to put any doubt about the honesty of the people.”
Hmmm… every single decision going against you, Jose. Are you sure? Chelsea’s boss never disappoints in a presser but is this “campaign” he speaks reality or just another piece of propaganda from the ‘Special One’?
