Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has hit out at the Football Association, describing a £50,000 fine handed to him as "an absolute disgrace" and the possibility of getting a stadium ban as "absolutely astonishing".
Following the Blues' 3-1 defeat to Southampton on October 3, Mourinho launched into a seven-minute rant during a television interview, when he claimed that match officials were "afraid" to give decisions to his side.
It was alleged that his remarks "constituted improper conduct in that they alleged and/or implied bias on the part of a match official", leading the FA to hand out a fine of £50,000 and give the Portuguese boss a suspended one-match ban after he admitted to a breach of the rules.
Mourinho told reporters at a book signing press conference on Thursday night: "I am happy I don't have an electronic tag. It's not far from it. I also think that £50,000 in the world where we live today is an absolute disgrace, and I also think that the possibility of getting a stadium ban is absolutely astonishing."
In addition, Mourinho appeared to take a swipe at rival manager Arsene Wenger for getting away with publicly voicing opinions of similar sentiment but using less intense words.
He added: "More difficult for me to understand is when I compare different people with similar words. I know my English is not perfect. It is just good enough to work in this country. But the difference between "afraid" and "weak and naive"? The difference is £50,000 and a one-match stadium ban.
"We know we can push people in the technical area, no problem. The word 'afraid' is a punishment but to say the referee was 'weak and naive' and to one of the top referees in Europe, we can do.
"So, the only good thing about this last decision from the FA is that the managers in this country can write in a little book and he knows "afraid" costs £50,000 a week and "naive" you can do it."
Chelsea insisted earlier this month that Mourinho has the "full support" of the club despite making their worst start to a season for almost 30 years.
Giuseppe Labellarte
