Mourinho breaks his silence

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has broken his silence to issue a thinly-veiled criticism of Barcelona and their midfielder Sergio Busquets.

Mourinho has not commented publicly since being handed a five-match touchline ban by UEFA earlier this month.

The suspension from European competition was handed down for Mourinho’s behaviour during and after Real’s 2-0 home defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final first leg on April 27.

Mourinho was sent from the dugout during the game, before accusing UEFA of pro-Barcelona bias in his post-match interview.

Real went on to lose the semi-final 3-1 on aggregate and also finished second behind Barca in La Liga.

Assistant coach Aitor Karanka performed Real’s media duties in Mourinho’s absence during the remaining matches of the campaign, but the Portuguese coach has finally broken his silence, thanking Madrid’s fans for their support.

“The season has finished and I want to thank the Real Madrid supporters for all the affection and support they have given to both the team and the coaching staff,” Mourinho said in a message on the club’s website.

“We’ve worked seriously and with dedication, but obviously we leave to you the analysis the work this squad has done during this last year.”

“We will return on July 11 with the same passion and with the same motivation as always to continue trying to dignify the prestige and the incomparable history of Real Madrid.”

Real reported Barcelona midfielder Busquets to UEFA for allegedly directing racial abuse at Brazilian fullback Marcelo during the ill-tempered semi-final first leg at the Bernabeu.

Mourinho also accused Barcelona of systematic simulation in an attempt to influence match officials.

And despite UEFA rejecting both of the allegations, Mourinho again made reference to the claims.

“Finally, I want to end with a very simple wish, which is that next season we recover certain principles that nobody should ever forget, and which this season some football professionals and some institutions have sometimes forgotten, and which must be the basis of our sport,” he said.

“To talk of fair-play, of respect to your opponents and of the red card to racism must not just be words, they must be facts.”

“I repeat, I have the hope that next season we can recover for our sport these absolutely fundamental principles.”