Mourinho admits insulting Italian journalist

Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho on Tuesday owned up to verbally attacking an Italian journalist in a bust-up that is being investigated by the Italian Football Federation.

Mourinho set on Andrea Ramazzotti after he came across the Corriere dello Sport reporter in an area used for interviews by Inter’s television station Inter Channel after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Bergamo.

“It’s true that I insulted one of your colleagues and that I used a word that I can’t repeat here, but there was no physical assault,” he told a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s Italian Cup clash with Livorno.

“I hope that it’s the first and last time in my career that I use this word,” he told the media briefing which was partially boycotted by sections of the Italian press.

Mourinho resorted to a touch of humour to try and diffuse the row.

“Today I would like to end this story and the best way to do that is in good spirits by saying that I’m waiting for a Christmas present from him because up to this moment the only famous Ramazzotti was (signer) Eros, but since the last couple of days it’s been Andrea.”

The Portuguese manager said he would accept any punishment handed down to him by his club, but said he considered it “ridiculous” that the matter should be the subject of an official Italian Football Federation inquiry.

“It’s got nothing to do with them,” he insisted.