Mourinho Speaks of ‘Campaign’ to Incite Refs Against Chelsea

Jose Mourinho notes that the referee “made a wrong decision” during the draw against Southampton and that there is “a campaign” focused on inciting decisions against his Chelsea side.

The Portuguese, 51, felt referee Anthony Taylor could have awarded a penalty rather than book Cesc Fabregas, for going down in the area under the challenge by Matt Targett’s in the second half of Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Southampton.

“There is a campaign against Chelsea. I don’t know why there is this campaign and I do not care,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.

“Today it is a game between two good sides, a difficult match with not many opportunities and the ref makes a wrong decision. He just made a mistake, I don’t say more than that.”

Jose Murinho and Ronald Koeman Reunited at St. Mary’s Stadium after their Spell Under Louis van Gaal at FC Barcelona. Image: Getty.

Referee Taylor turned deaf ears to Fabregas’ protest against his decision, but replay appeared to show contact from full-back Targett.

Mourinho feels the incident, ten minutes after the restart, was misjudged because referees have been subjected to pressure from managers in the media of late.

Branislav Ivanovic came in for the sticks for going down in the area during the Blues’ Boxing Day win over West Ham at Stamford Bridge, with manager Sam Allardyce claiming “he was looking for penalty.”

“My view is the view of everybody,” said Mourinho. “We have had bad yellow cards against us and in the game against Hull City, the most important thing of the game was not Cahill [not being booked], it was Fiilpe Luis with almost a broken leg.

“In the last two weeks both Filipe Luis and Eden Hazard could now be with broken legs, these are the two crucial things in the last few weeks from my matches, and people talk about Cahill in a game with the result 2-0, and against West Ham, a good game, 2-0 which could be 4-0 or 5-0, Valencia made a very bad dive at the end of the game and people speak about Ivanovic.”

He added on BBC Sport: After the game against West Ham, Sam is speaking about Branislav Ivanovic (diving), what is this? Then you come here (Southampton) and you have a crucial decision and the referee makes the wrong decision. He made a mistake. He assumed it.

“Out of nothing, Allardyce starts speaking about Chelsea players diving, then another coach and another coach. The referee changes a penalty for a yellow card.”

Fabregas, who provided the assist for Eden Hazard’s equaliser before the break, said: “There was definitely contact. I don’t think the referee had the best game of his life but we’re all human and a bad day at the office can happen to anyone. That’s it, let’s not talk more about it, we have to talk about football.”

Mourinho also feels there should be rules change so that incorrectly-awarded yellow cards for diving are rescinded, otherwise it’s a double punishment.

He explained: “It should be easy – the ref goes to a screen and he sees that he made a mistake, and he is a good and honest guy and he writes I made a mistake and let’s clean the yellow card to Cesc. It should be a simple process.”

by Greenstarnetwork admin..