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Five-match European ban for Mourinho

Jose Mourinho will have to bark instructions from the stands © Getty Images

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Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has been slapped with a five-match ban and fined €50,000 for his criticism of UEFA and Barcelona following their first leg defeat to the Catalans in the Champions League semi-finals.

Mourinho's rant claimed that Barcelona were given preferential treatment by UEFA officials and that, next year, they should just 'hand the trophy' over to them before reeling off a list of injustices from previous years. Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has already revealed his dissatisfaction at Mourinho's comments and now UEFA have acted in a move that will sit as a precedent to any similar criticism from managers.

The five-game ban is, in actual fact, three; as one of the games has already been served (the second leg at the Nou Camp) and one is suspended. It means that, if Mourinho remains at Real for next season, he would miss their opening three group fixtures.

A statement on the UEFA website read: ''Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, who was dismissed from the bench in the first leg and made an inappropriate statement at the post-match interview, has been suspended for the next five UEFA club competition matches for which he would otherwise be eligible. The suspension includes the one-match ban for the match following the coach's dismissal, which was served for the return leg in Barcelona on Tuesday. The fifth match is suspended for a probationary period of three years. Mourinho has also been fined €50,000.''

Both Barca and Madrid were also hit others bans. Pepe was suspended for one match for his sending off, but has already served his time because he played no part in the second leg, while Barcelona reserve goalkeeper Jose Pinto, sent off at half-time of the first leg in Madrid, was handed a three-match ban and will thus miss the Champions League final.

Real Madrid were additionally fined €20,000 "for the improper conduct of their supporters". The club have already appealed, but it could be weeks before the appeal is decided.

"Real Madrid considers this resolution still suffers from the same defects found at the start of the disciplinary case, which made it impossible for our coach to use his right to defend himself, since the exact statements for which the disciplinary case was opened are still unknown," a club statement read.

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