Mourinho facing 12-game ban for eye-poke brawl

Published Aug. 23, 2011 4:30 p.m. ET

foxsports

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho could be suspended up to 12 games for his altercation with Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova during a Spanish Supercup game-ending brawl.

The Spanish football federation opened disciplinary proceedings against the clubs Tuesday, six days after Barcelona won the trophy in a fight-marred finale.

Mourinho walked toward Vilanova and appeared to poke him in the eye during the on-field melee the teams. Mourinho apologized Tuesday only to fans in a statement posted on Madrid's website.

Under federation rules, the Portuguese coach could be banned between four to 12 games. Vilanova could be sanctioned for four games after retaliating with a push.

Barcelona striker David Villa and Madrid pair Marcelo and Mesut Oezil were given one-game bans.