Mourinho looking to avoid FA charge with cryptic criticisms of Martin Atkinson.
Jose Mourinho used coded criticisms to slam referee Martin Atkinson following Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Burnley.
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(Video) The Four Incidents Jose Mourinho Raged About After Chelsea’s Draw With Burnley
The Blues boss has been rapped recently with FA Charges for comments about referees performances so perhaps Mourinho was attempting to avoid another penalty whilst still making his point heard.
“There were four crucial moments in the match – minutes 30, 33, 43 and 69,” said the Chelsea manager following the match, reports Daily Express.
“I leave it with you who saw the game. I don’t want to be punished.”
The four incidents included a two potential penalties, a rough foul on Branislav Ivanovic and, perhaps most controversially, the tackle preceding the red card to Nemanja Matic.
The Serbian was sent off in the second half after pushing Burnley’s Ashley Barnes to the ground, however Matic was only reacting to a very robust tackle from the Clarets man that could have potentially snapped his leg.
It was Barnes too who heavily tackled Ivanovic in the first half to which Mourinho said: “Normally the player there would be facing an early shower and then the moment in minute 69 doesn’t happen.”
“If the story finishes here (bad decisions) then I know we will be champions,” said Mourinho. “But I don’t know if the story finishes here.”
Manchester City meanwhile closed the gap on Chelsea with a 5-0 over Newcastle which now sees them just five points behind the league leaders.