• Premier League

Mourinho contests FA charge

ESPN staff
April 28, 2014
Chelsea title charge revs up

Jose Mourinho has denied an FA misconduct charge and demanded a hearing over comments about official Mike Dean and referees' chief Mike Riley following Chelsea's 2-1 defeat to Sunderland.

Mourinho sarcastically "congratulated" the pair after the defeat, which ended his run of 77-unbeaten league games at Stamford Bridge and dented his side's title challenge before they beat Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield on Sunday.

Jose Mourinho's assistant Rui Faria had to be held back at Stamford Bridge © Getty Images
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Before his congratulatory speech, Mourinho had not spoken to the media since he was fined for entering the field of play at the end of his side's 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa last month.

Mourinho's assistant Rui Faria is facing a lengthy touchline ban after admitting two misconduct charges himself, though.

Faria was charged with using insulting or abusive language to fourth official Phil Dowd after Sunderland were given a late match-winning penalty. He had to be held back by Mourinho during a heated exchange with Dowd and was sent to the stands, however refused to leave the technical area which brought him another charge of improper conduct.

The assistant first-team coach could face a stadium ban like that handed to Newcastle manager Alan Pardew for headbutting Hull's David Meyler, but will enter written pleas of mitigation.

Chelsea midfielder Ramires was banned for four games after accepting a charge of violent conduct following an off-the-ball incident during the same match, catching Sunderland's Sebastian Larsson with a flailing arm. He had originally avoided punishment as the incident was not seen by match officials.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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