Mourinho rejects FA charge

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has denied a charge of misconduct levelled against him by England's governing Football Association following comments he made after the Premier League title-chasers shock loss to Sunderland. The Black Cats ended Mourinho's 77-match unbeaten home league run as Chelsea manager with a stunning 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge last month. Afterwards, Mourinho mocked the officials by saying: "Congratulations to (referee) Mike Dean, because he made a fantastic performance. "And congratulations to Mike Riley (head of refereeing body Professional Game Match Officials Limited), because what they did during the season was fantastic for the way the championship is going. "So congratulations to all of them, and I have nothing more to say. I'm sorry." During the course of the match the Portuguese boss's assistant Rui Faria angrily confronted the match officials on the touchline and had to be restrained by several Chelsea staff, including Mourinho, before he was sent off. Monday saw Faria admit to two FA charges of misconduct after Chelsea midfielder Ramires had already received a retrospective four-match ban, ending his domestic season, for swinging an arm and striking Sunderland's Sebastian Larsson during the April 19 match. A FA statement said: "Jose Mourinho has denied an FA charge and requested a non-personal hearing in relation to comments he made following Chelsea's game against Sunderland on April 19, 2014. "It is alleged that Mourinho's post-match comments constitute improper conduct, in that they call into question the integrity of the referee appointed to the above fixture (Mike Dean) and/or the integrity of Mr Mike Riley, general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, and/or the comments bring the game into disrepute. "In relation to the same fixture, Chelsea assistant manager Rui Faria has admitted two misconduct breaches and requested a non-personal hearing. "The first breach was that Faria used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official (Phil Dowd). The second breach was that Faria's behaviour following the match referee's request that he leave the technical area amounted to improper conduct. "A date for both hearings will be set in due course." Mourinho has already been sent off at both Cardiff and Aston Villa this season. Speaking about his latest brush with authority on Friday, Mourinho said: "Every time I speak there is a consequence. Even if I say that a referee was amazing that was a reason to be with a charge. "I can't say the truth. I don't feel free at all. If you want a better press conference, speak with the FA. "I told the referee he was amazing, and I repeat: the referee was amazing." Mourinho was also bitterly sarcastic regarding Ramiers's ban, by saying: "He's a lucky guy. We accept the charge because we are happy with it." As for the prospect of another fine, Mourinho said: "When I have to give money, I prefer to do it privately. "My wife says that charity is anonymous. I prefer to do that than give money because people decide to take money out of my pocket." Chelsea, now just two points behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race after a 2-0 win at Anfield on Sunday, face Atletico Madrid in the second leg of a currently goalless Champions League semi-final at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Source: AFP