Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has described Uefa’s decision to charge the club with disrepute as an “unprecedented attack” on the Stamford Bridge club.
Kenyon denied claims Chelsea lied about Frank Rijkaard meeting referee Anders Frisk at half-time during their Champions League tie in Barcelona.
He said: “These statements called into question the integrity of the club and we cannot let them stand unchallenged.”
Uefa charged Mourinho, Clarke and Miles with bringing the game into disrepute for making ‘false declarations’ after the tie.
Kenyon added: “Chelsea are both surprised and disappointed that at least one individual within Uefa appears to have launched an unprecedented attack on the club.
“Chelsea fully adheres to, and respects, the processes of Uefa and is under no illusion about the seriousness of these charges.
“However the statements against Chelsea, Jose Mourinho, Steve Clarke, and Les Miles by at least one senior Uefa official means we are no longer able to keep our own counsel.
“Unfortunately some within Uefa have decided to ignore their own organisation’s reputation for fairness and correct procedure by playing out this debate in the public arena ahead of any hearing.
“The use of such language, and the nature of the public statements as a whole, give us grave concern about our chances of receiving an impartial and fair hearing.
“Our defence has been dismissed before it has even been considered. Our witnesses have been branded as liars without any opportunity to be heard or defend themselves.
“That offends all principles of justice both in England and across Europe.”
