Mourinho to appeal FA punishment

Jose Mourinho is appealing against the
extremity of the FA sanctions for his outburst
after Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to Southampton, the
Portuguese revealed on Friday.
Mourinho was fined £50,000 ($77,000, 68,000
euros)and given a suspended one-match
stadium ban, after saying that “referees are
afraid to give decisions for Chelsea”.
Mourinho contests the FA’s suggestion that
under-fire manager’s comments “alleged and/or
implied bias on the part of a match official or
match officials and/or brought the game into
disrepute”.

He said he had read the written reasons for the
decision and, when asked if he will appeal
against them, responded “yes”.
“I have to be honest with myself, that’s the
most important thing,” Mourinho said.
“I think, in the moment, we have got the
written reasons and I decided to appeal. So it’s
the moment to stop with my opinions and not
say anything more than I did already. I was very
objective in my sadness facing the situation.”
While Mourinho pleaded guilty to the charge, it
is understood he feels the severity of the
sanctions are unfair.
The Portuguese also has a decision to make
ahead of his under-performing side’s home
game against Aston Villa on Saturday, as right-
back Branislav Ivanovic – the Chelsea defender
with the most minutes this season – is out with
a hamstring injury.
“I have four solutions,” Mourinho responded.
“I have (Cesar) Azpilicueta. I have the
adaptations of (Kurt) Zouma or Ramires. And I
have Ole Aina, an 18-year-old who never played
a game in the Premier League, but a boy with
lots of potential.”
This has been a trying time for Chelsea, as they
only have one point from their last three games
– a 2-2 draw at Newcastle United, followed by
defeats at Porto in the Champions League and
then at home to Southampton.
He denied there was a “fear factor” within the
squad right now – but that it is true that
opposing sides may not necessarily fear Chelsea.
“No, I don’t think fear factor is the right words.
Lack of confidence. A little bit less self-esteem.
That can affect your style of play, your body
language in a game. Fear factor? I don’t believe
so at this level.
“I believe teams come to Stamford Bridge not
fearing us and believing they can get a result,”
Mourinho said.
“It’s normal.”
Mourinho also felt the international break
proved that “the habitat” is not the source of
Chelsea’s problems, as he didn’t think any of his
players performed better for their countries.
Mourinho gave his backing to Tim Sherwood,
who is under similar pressure at Villa, at 18th in
the table and seven games without a win.
“Good players. Good team. Not getting the best
results.
“But a team that lost two very important
players, and a team that the manager is trying to
rebuild having lost probably the two most
important players. But a good team with good
players.
“And I don’t believe, like I don’t believe Chelsea
will be in this position in a couple of months,
that they will be in this position in a couple of
months, too.”