Mourinho punishment reduced by UEFA

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho’s punishment for improper conduct has been reduced on appeal, UEFA announced on Monday.

Mourinho drew the ire of UEFA after allegedly instructing midfielder Xabi Alonso and right-back Sergio Ramos to deliberately earn second cautions in Real’s 4-0 win at Champions League rivals Ajax on November 23.

The resulting red cards ensured the pair will serve out a out-game ban in Real’s meaningless Group G fixture against Auxerre on Wednesday and enter February’s knock-out stages with a clean slate.

Mourinho was banned for one game with a further one-match ban suspended for three years as a consequence, but UEFA has now rescinded the suspended sanction.

The governing body has also reduced the fine handed down to Real from 120,000 to 100,000 euros, and cut Mourinho’s fine from 40,000 to 30,000 euros.

The 20,000-euro fines handed out to Alonso and Ramos remain unchanged, as well as the 5,000-euro sanctions handed out to Iker Casillas and Jerzy Dudek for appearing to pass on messages from the dugout.