Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been charged by Uefa with bringing the game into disrepute.
The charge follows Mourinho’s behaviour in the wake of their 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in their UEFA Champions League tie at Camp Nou last month.
Mourinho had accused Barcelona counterpart, Frank Rijkaard, of entering referee Anders Frisk’s dressing room at half time.
After the match, Chelsea complained to Uefa about Rijkaard’s behaviour.
But Uefa have now charged Mourinho, his assistant Steve Clarke and club security official Les Miles with bringing the game into disrepute by making ‘wrong and unfounded statements’.
“Uefa today announced the opening of disciplinary proceedings against Chelsea FC, head coach Jose Mourinho, assistant manager Steve Clarke and security responsible Les Miles for making false declarations, notably in the complaint sent by Chelsea FC following the UEFA Champions League match played against FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou on 23 February 2005,” read a statement on Uefa’s official website.
“By further disseminating these wrong and unfounded statements, Chelsea FC allowed its technical staff to deliberately create a poisoned and negative ambience amongst the teams and to put pressure on the refereeing officials.”
Since the game at Camp Nou, Swedish official Frisk has retired from refereeing after receiving death threats against himself and his family.
Uefa’s Control and Disciplinary Body will hear the case against Mourinho, Clarke and Miles on March 31.
