• Premier League

Mourinho criticises Neymar and Balotelli for 'sad' diving

Jose Mourinho wants to see tougher action handed out to players who have been caught diving © Getty Images

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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has taken a shot at Neymar and Mario Balotelli for their simulation in the Champions League last midweek, and has called for football authorities to be more strict on diving.

Mourinho was strongly critical of Jan Vertonghen for his part in Fernando Torres' dismissal in their 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane last weekend, saying the defender "pretended" that contact had been made with the striker.

The Portuguese has managed players who have had a reputation for simulation, such as Didier Drogba and Arjen Robben, but he insists he would chastise any of his current crop that were guilty of doing the same.

"I have told the players many times, I hate it. It is very bad," Mourinho said in the Telegraph. "And the search of a red card for another player is a disgrace.

"I haven't dropped a player because of it, but being strong and critical, I did it, yes. I spoke about it with Drogba and Robben.

"I am not saying I will drop someone. Maybe the player is very important for me and makes a mistake and maybe I don't drop him. But I will strongly criticise him, yes. And if one day I win the game where I feel one of my players didn't behave correctly, I will say it."

Mourinho went on to lament the antics of Neymar, who ensured Celtic's Scott Brown was sent off in Barcelona's victory in Glasgow, and Balotelli, who earned a penalty for AC Milan against Ajax.

"In some countries if you don't do it you become like the naive one because others do," said Mourinho. "But you could see for example in the Champions League this week, what happened in Glasgow and Amsterdam. And for me that is fairly sad."

Mourinho added that he wants to see tougher action handed out by the likes of the Football Association to players who are caught trying to buy a foul.

"It's up to the football authorities," Mourinho added. "Again, I am nobody, I just give my little opinion. Next week they will go again [if no action is taken]. It's about priorities."

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