Chelsea’s José Mourinho charged by FA

Chelsea’s José Mourinho charged by FA for comments at Southampton

• Manager said Chelsea were victims of campaign over diving
• Mourinho called Cesc Fàbregas booking a ‘scandal’



Chelsea’s manager, José Mourinho, has been charged with misconduct for comments made about match officials after last month’s draw at Southampton, the Football Association has announced.

Mourinho claimed there was a “clear campaign” by “people, pundits, commentators and coaches from other teams” against Chelsea and described as “a scandal” the booking of Cesc Fàbregas for an alleged dive when the midfielder appeared to be tripped in the penalty area at St Mary’s on 28 December.

“It is alleged his remarks constitute improper conduct in that they allege and/or imply bias on the part of a referee or referees and/or bring the game into disrepute,” a statement issued by the FA said.

Mourinho, who does not view officials as being part of any campaign against Chelsea but fears they may have been influenced by it, has until 6pm on Tuesday to respond to the charge.

Chelsea had been at the centre of a debate over diving when Mourinho made the comments. Diego Costa and Willian were booked for simulation against Hull on 13 December and Steve Bruce, the Hull manager, described a Gary Cahill dive as being “like something out of Swan Lake”.

The London club faced renewed scrutiny on Boxing Day when Branislav Ivanovic appeared to take a tumble against West Ham, the type of incident Mourinho believes is being unjustly scrutinised to Chelsea’s detriment.

Fàbregas looked to have won a penalty early in the second half against Southampton after being caught by Matt Targett but the referee, Anthony Taylor, deemed it a dive and booked the furious Spanish midfielder.

Asked if recent incidents involving Cahill and Ivanovic had been influential, Mourinho said: “Of course. That’s a campaign, that’s a clear campaign. People, pundits, commentators, coaches from other teams – they react with Chelsea in a way they don’t react to other teams. They put lots of pressure on the referee and the referee makes a mistake like this. We lose two points, Fabregas earns a yellow card.”

The FA also reviewed comments made by Mourinho on 19 December, three days before the victory in Stoke, in which he spoke about the need for a “good, experienced referee”. Neil Swarbrick oversaw the match. Mourinho has been given a formal warning because managers are banned from making comments about referees before a match.