Jose admits to insult not assault

(GSM) – Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho has admitted he verbally insulted a journalist after his side’s 1-1 league draw against Atalanta on Sunday, but denied physical contact.

League officials and Inter president Massimo Moratti are probing the incident outside the team bus after Italy’s sports journalists’ union complained.

The union accused Mourinho of “physical and verbal aggression” towards Corriere dello Sport journalist Andrea Ramazzotti.

But Mourinho has denied aggressive intent or physical contact, adding he hopes to make up with the journalist concerned.
Insulted

He told a news conference on Tuesday: “It’s true I insulted one of your colleagues with a word I cannot repeat that was offensive. But it is not true that there was aggressive intent or physical contact.”

The Portuguese added that he snapped because the journalist had been standing by the team bus for months despite his protests.

“I will not make a public apology because the situation was not public but private,” added Mourinho, whose Serie A leaders host Livorno in the Italian Cup last 16 on Wednesday.

“In front of him, like men, I will be able to talk with him and end this story. Maybe with a bit of humour – I expect a Christmas present from him.”