Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho does not accept the charges from the Football Association. Darren Walsh / AP Photo
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho does not accept the charges from the Football Association. Darren Walsh / AP Photo

Mourinho vows to contest improper conduct charge



Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has vowed to contest the improper conduct charge delivered by the Football Association after his touchline dismissal in last Saturday's loss in the Premier League at Aston Villa.

Mourinho was sent to the stands by referee Chris Foy after going on to the pitch following the red card given to his player Ramires for an over-the-top tackle on Karim El Ahmadi and on Wednesday became subject to further disciplinary action from the FA.

“For obvious reasons I don’t accept the charges,” Mourinho said.

Asked the basis for his defence, the Blues boss said: “I have to do it Monday, I have to do it privately.”

It was the second time Mourinho had been sent to the stands this season.

After his sending off against Cardiff City in October, Mourinho accepted the charge and was fined £8,000 (Dh48,500).

Chelsea lost 1-0 at Villa Park, where Willian was also sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

Both players have been suspended.

The Chelsea manager came on to the pitch as a melee ensued involving players from both teams, with the substituted Gabriel Agbonlahor and Villa manager Paul Lambert also on the pitch.

The Portuguese claimed he was only attempting to cool tempers, and to ask Foy why he had not sent off Agbonlahor for accosting Ramires, but the referee was not interested and he dismissed the Chelsea manager.

Mourinho then asked to speak to Foy in the referee’s room but he did not want to speak to the Chelsea manager.

Mourinho then called on the Premier League not to appoint Foy for Chelsea matches.

Premier League leaders Chelsea play Arsenal on Saturday, with Mourinho's anger still simmering.

Asked his team news for the match, he said: “As a consequence of last Saturday, we don’t have Ramires and Willian.”

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Du Plessis plans his retirement

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said on Friday the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia in two years' time will be his last.

Du Plessis, 34, who has led his country in two World T20 campaigns, in 2014 and 2016, is keen to play a third but will then step aside.

"The T20 World Cup in 2020 is something I'm really looking forward to. I think right now that will probably be the last tournament for me," he said in Brisbane ahead of a one-off T20 against Australia on Saturday. 


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