Mourinho may escape sanctions
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Shanghai Daily, August 19, 2011
Barcelona and Real Madrid won't know the extent of sanctions resulting from the Spanish Supercup brawl until next week but Jose Mourinho is likely to escape punishment.
Three red cards were shown after players clashed at the end of Barcelona's 3-2 win on Wednesday, but the lasting image will be of Mourinho putting his finger into the eye of Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova. Vilanova then slapped the Madrid coach on the head.
Referee David Fernandez Borbalan's failure to include those details in his match report means Mourinho and Vilanova are unlikely to be banned.
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has accused Mourinho of "wrecking Spanish football".
"Mourinho is wrecking Spanish football," Pique told reporters. "People are looking for culprits but they are in Madrid. Someone needs to get the video, analyze it and say who is to blame."
"We hope that on Thursday everyone will be talking about a great game of football and not the melee," added Pique. "It isn't the first time this has happened ... it is always the same people. Someone needs to sort this out."
Real defender Marcelo's lunging tackle on substitute Cesc Fabregas in the final minute of the game had players and both benches jostling and arguing.
Mourinho accused Barca players of going to ground easily.
"Marcelo got a red card because we all know what happens after tackles in certain areas of the pitch," the Portuguese said. "It was a spectacular game from the first to last minute. But from the first minute of the second half, and I don't criticize it because I know people do it, the ball boys hid the balls. (Barca was winning 2-1 at this point).
"It happens with small teams when they find themselves in difficulties."
Television pictures showed Mourinho sneak up behind Barcelona assistant coach Vilanova and poke him in the eye. When asked about the incident, Mourinho replied: "I have been polite and played like a man and not fallen to the ground at the first touch. I don't know who Vilanova is."
Barca coach Pep Guardiola told reporters: "The images will speak for themselves. This is going to end up badly if it isn't stopped soon."
