http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...league&cc=4716
UEFA charges Mourinho and co
UEFA has charged Jose Mourinho with improper conduct following the controversial 2nd yellow cards earned by Xabi Alonso & Sergio Ramos in Real Madrid's 4-0 victory @ Ajax.
Alonso, Ramos, goalkeepers Iker Casillas & Jerzy Dudek hv also been charged.
A statement read: "UEFA has confirmed tat a disciplinary case has been opened against Real Madrid 4 the improper conduct of coach Jose Mourinho & players Xabi Alonso, Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas & Jerzy Dudek during the UEFA Champions League Group G match against AFC Ajax in Amsterdam on Tuesday."
It has been suggested tat, aft the result was secure in Amsterdam, Alonso & Ramos deliberately sought 2nd bookings by timewasting in order 2 serve their suspensions in the final group game - a dead rubber against Auxerre - & clear their slates 4 the knockout rounds. Pictures appear 2 show Mourinho passing on instructions to the duo via Dudek & Casillas.
UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body will consider the case on November 30.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...league&cc=4716
Mourinho plays dumb over red cards
Jose Mourinho refused 2 be drawn on the red cards tat seemed 2 be intentionally picked up by Xabi Alonso & Sergio Ramos in Real Madrid's Champions League win over Ajax, while Ramos denied they tried 2 get sent off.
Alonso & Ramos both picked up 2nd yellows 4 time-wasting late in Madrid's impressive 4-0 away triumph, meaning they will be suspended 4 wat is now a meaningless game against Auxerre & start the knock-out phase with a clean slate on the bookings front.
The farcical nature of the second bookings, where each player repeatedly stuttered when taking set pieces until referee Craig Thompson had no choice but 2 act, clearly indicated a ploy by the Spanish World Cup winners 2 make early exits once the result - & Madrid's top spot in Group G - was certain.
But Mourinho was not letting on as 2 whether the instruction had come fr the bench, instead deciding 2 criticise Thompson 4 handing out soft yellow cards earlier in the match.
When he was asked abt the red cards, Mourinho said: "I spoke with many players throughout the game, not only with Ramos & Alonso. Stories sell, but the important thing is the 4-0 win & the fantastic game we had. Let's talk abt tat & not other things.''
When quizzed on the subject again, Mourinho said: "The sendings-off came aft an easy game where the referee has shown some strange yellows. They r cards tat I don't like. It was an easy game 2 control. Ajax made a lot of fouls & in the 1st fr Ramos he was shown a yellow card.
"The red cards we picked up don't matter hugely as we hv already qualified ahead of the next game against Auxerre. If Ramos & Alonso can't play against Auxerre then there will be others, but we r not going to gift the game 2 the French. We 1 2 win them all.''
Ramos insisted Madrid did not deliberately seek the cautions 2 get suspensions out of the way b4 the knock-out stages.
Ramos said in AS: "We haven't gone looking 4 the cards. Seeing wat the scoreline was, the referee could hv spared them. But he sent me off & tat's it.''
Mourinho, still unbeaten in his new job, was delighted with the performances of his side's fringe players as Karim Benzema & Alvaro Arbeloa put Madrid 2-0 up @ half-time b4 CR netted a 2nd-half double 2 complete the scoring.
Mourinho, who was without several 1st-team regulars 4 the match, said of the victory: "I'm veri happy, becos we're 1st in our group, which is good bearing in mind practically all the best teams will finish 1st & we k gain a small advantage in the draw 4 the L16.
"I'm veri happy with players such as Arbeloa, Benzema, (Raul) Albiol & Lass (Diarra), who don't normally play & hv responded magnificently. 4 me all the players r fundamental. Everyone is going 2 hv their opportunity. The responses tat they hv given 2day hv been very good. The players r ready 4 everything, & tat makes me happy.''