Mourinho fails in appeal against one-match suspension
Jose Mourinho's fractious relationship with the Football Association deteriorated further on Thursday as the Chelsea manager failed in his appeal against a suspended one-match stadium ban and $76,000 fine.
Mourinho was sanctioned for implying match officials were biased against the Premier League champions in comments made following the October 3 loss to Southampton. It was a charge he rejected, but his appeal was thrown out, the FA announced on Thursday. "An appeal board has dismissed the appeal from Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho in relation to a decision made by an independent regulatory commission," a statement from the FA read.
The 52-year-old Portuguese - banned from Stoke's Britannia Stadium on Saturday for a separate offence - was angry referee Robert Madley did not award a penalty when Radamel Falcao was instead booked for diving in a 3-1 loss to Saints. Mourinho afterwards said officials were "afraid" to give Chelsea decisions and added: "Be honest with us and give us what you have to give, and it's a big penalty."
The FA statement added: "The appeal board has upheld the original sanction and therefore it remains that Mr Mourinho's suspended stadium ban will be immediately invoked should he be found by an independent regulatory commission to have committed a further breach of FA rule E3 for any comment or statement to or through the media before October 13, 2016."
The ban which prevents Mourinho attending Saturday's Premier League game at Stoke was imposed following his half-time dismissal at West Ham last month. The Blues boss "admitted an FA charge of misconduct regarding his language and/or behaviour towards the match officials in or around the dressing room area" at Upton Park and was fined $61,000 alongside the stadium ban.
Only if Chelsea appeal against that penalty will Mourinho be permitted to enter the Britannia Stadium or surrounding area on matchday. Chelsea, the reigning champions, are 15th in the Premier League after six losses in the opening 11 matches. Wednesday night's Champions League defeat of Dynamo Kiev was Chelsea's second win in six matches since Mourinho was the subject of the first managerial vote of confidence in Roman Abramovich's 12-year ownership, easing the pressure somewhat on the embattled boss.
Mourinho is slated to speak to the media on Friday lunchtime.
