• Premier League

Mourinho to escape punishment for 'Mickey Mouse' row

ESPN staff
November 12, 2013
Mourinho spoke after the game about the controversial penalty decision

Jose Mourinho derided Jonas Olsson as a "Mickey Mouse player" during a post-match bust-up in the tunnel following Chelsea's 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion - and it has now emerged that he will escape any punishment for doing so.

Tempers flared after the Blues equalised through a controversial late penalty at the end of Saturday's match at Stamford Bridge, with Ramires deemed by referee Andre Marriner to have been felled by Steven Reid before Eden Hazard fired home from the spot.

Mourinho, who told the media after the game that "there are no doubts" it was a penalty, is reported to have told the West Brom players - as he stated in his news conference - that their second goal should have been disallowed for a foul on Branislav Ivanovic in the tunnel.

According to the Daily Telegraph, that prompted "a confrontation involving almost 20 players" as Sweden defender Olsson told Mourinho: "Shut up and f*** off."

The Blues boss then reportedly made his "Mickey Mouse" remark, with Gareth McAuley and another, unnamed player then said to have confronted the Portuguese before team-mates calmed them down.

Incredibly, match referee Andre Marriner deemed it fit not to mention the incident, which required Chelsea stewards to break it up, in his match report to the FA.

The FA have confirmed to ESPN that there is no written mention from Marriner of the scenes, which also included Albion defender Gareth McAuley and captain Chris Brunt confront the Chelsea manager.

Marriner has subsequently been asked by the FA disciplinary section, in light of reports of the tunnel clash, whether he can confirm any of the accusations being made, but according to the FA has confirmed that he did not witness any of the incidents in the tunnel.

Download ESPN's new UK sport app, a fresh and powerful new way to follow your favourite UK sports news, scores and video.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
ESPN staff Close