Football: UEFA reduce Mourinho ban

NYON: Uefa have reduced a ban imposed on Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho for comments made about referees in last season’s Champions League following an appeal hearing. The Portuguese was initially handed a ban of four matches, plus one suspended for three years, as well as a fine of €50,000 after he was sent from the bench during Real’s 2-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final first-leg on April 27. Uefa also punished him for an ‘inappropriate statement’ in his post-match press conference. However, after a six-hour hearing at Uefa headquarters, the fine remains in place but the suspension has been reduced to three matches, plus two suspended.



Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^st, 2011.