Football: Mourinho appeal set for July 29

PARIS: Real Madrid's appeal against the three-match ban handed to coach Jose Mourinho for his comments after the first-leg of Real's Champions League semi-final defeat by Barcelona will be heard on July 29. European football's governing body gave a three-match ban to Mourinho, with one match suspended, after he made allegations of favouritism towards Barcelona during the April 27 game. Barca won the first-leg 2-0 before a 1-1 draw in the return-leg took them into the final, where they beat Manchester United.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2011.