UEFA reduces Mourinho ban

UEFA have altered the terms of Jose Mourinho’s five-match ban from European competition following a hearing on Friday.

Real Madrid coach Mourinho received the ban in May after being sent from the touchline during his team’s 2-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final first leg on April 27.

He then made post-match comments suggesting a UEFA bias in Barcelona’s favour, leading to a 50,000-euro fine and the five-match ban, with one of those matches suspended.

After considering Real’s appeal, UEFA have downgraded the sentence to a five-match ban, with two suspended.

“UEFA’s Appeals Body today partially upheld the decision taken by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body against Real Madrid and their head coach Jose Mourinho,” the organisation said in a statement.

“The original judgment related to Mourinho’s dismissal from the bench and the inappropriate statement made at the post-match press conference of the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona in the Spanish capital on 27 April.”

“After hearing the parties and looking at various pieces of evidence, the Appeals Body decided to modify the sanction.”

“The five-match ban, with the fifth game suspended for a probationary period of three years, is changed to a five-match ban, with the fourth and fifth fixtures suspended for a probationary period of three years. The 50,000-euro fine imposed on Mourinho stays.”

UEFA also rejected an appeal by Real against a 20,000-euro fine for the ‘improper conduct’ of some supporters during the same match.

Real, who went on to lose the semi-final 3-1 on aggregate, have the right to appeal UEFA’s decision in the Court of Arbitration for Sport.