Barça present official complaint to UEFA about Mourinho's statements after the Champions League semi-final
FC Barcelona will present an official complaint about the Real Madrid manager to UEFA’s Control and Disciplinary Body for what it considers “a violation of basic standards of behaviour”. The UEFA already decided to look on Wednesday's events. In the evening, it was known that Real Madrid also decided to file a complaint against Barça players for going against fair-play. The latter accusation seems quite surprising after having watched the game and Real Madrid's behaviour on and outside the pitch.
Barcelona (FCB).- The FC Barcelona Board of Directors, called together by president Sandro Rosell for an extraordinary meeting, decided to make an official complaint to UEFA\u2019s Control and Disciplinary Body about the serious accusations made by the Real Madrid coach in his press conference on Wednesday evening, after the Champions League semi final first leg. The Real Madrid counter-attacked with another complaint to UEFA, this time against Barça players for not playing with fair-play. Real Madrid's intention seems to be disqualifying Barça's complaint against Jose Mourinho's statements about FC Barcelona and UEFA.
Toni Freixa, secretary and spokesman of the Board, said after the board meeting that Barça "wishes to defend the history, prestige and honour of our members, supporters, players, coaches and directors thanks to whose work and effort the Champions League was won in 2009."
Unacceptable statements
Freixa added that the Real Madrid coach\u2019s comments are \u201Cconstitutive violations typified by article 5, letters B and D, of the UEFA code of behaviour; as a violation of the basic standards of behaviour and as actions that are damaging to the reputation of football and UEFA\u201D.
The spokesman for the board said that FC Barcelona is taking this measure because it feels it \u201Cunacceptable for somebody to dare question our history, our titles and our relation with Unicef\u201D. By lodging this complaint, Barça \u201Cwants to put out the fire\u201D because it \u201Crejects dialectic confrontations\u201D and \u201Ctrusts the disciplinary bodies\u201D.
Refusal to water grass
As for Real Madrid\u2019s refusal to water the Bernabéu stadium's grass an hour before the game, as had been agreed by the all-whites, Barça and UEFA, Freixa said that the Club made \u201Ca complaint in the referee\u2019s report\u201D and that the Club \u201Chas not received any explanation in this respect\u201D from Real Madrid.
Absence of Catalan
On the absence of the use of Catalan on the Bernabéu sound system at the end of the game, Freixa said \u201Cit ignores the right to receive instructions in our own language\u201D. According to Freixa, Madrid\u2019s argument was that \u201Cthe Police were opposed to speaking in Catalan because it could cause a disturbance of public order\u201D. Finally, even though the Police authorised it, the club \u201Cdid not invite the FC Barcelona employees to announce in Catalan\u201D, at the end of the game.
Support for the first team
Freixa indicated that these actions enjoyed the support of the first team and its coaches and would never expect a Barça coach to speak the way Mourinho did. It was also confirmed that the club is waiting for a resolution regarding the suspension of Pinto and if they consider it \u201Cunfair\u201D then an appeal will be made. Freixa added that these actions do not affect the institutional relations between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.
UEFA investigations
Freixa also stated that UEFA has also launched investigations into Real Madrid for the throwing of objects, a pitch invasion, the red card shown to Pepe, the sending off of José Mourinho and the manager\u2019s statements. And into Barça in relation to the red card shown to Pinto.
- Toni Freixa, Spokesperson for the FC Barcelona, arriving at the club's press room (by FC Barcelona)