UEFA: No Barcelona bust-up

14 April 2012

UEFA today dismissed reports of a violent tunnel bust-up between Barcelona's staff and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

Chelsea also confirmed that reports alleging Mourinho had been kicked up the backside by Barcelona's assistant coach Henk Ten Cate in the half-time break of the 2-1 defeat at the Nou Camp were not true.

Chelsea are still expected to report Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard to European football's governing body for talking to referee Anders Frisk inside the official's dressing room during the interval of their Champions League clash.

Mourinho refused to talk after the game but there are claims that Rijkaard was seen leaving Frisk's dressing room during the interval.

UEFA have already claimed that their own tunnel representative witnessed nothing out of the ordinary during half-time and were waiting for the arrival of Frisk's report as well as Chelsea's complaint before investigating the matter further. Their spokesman William Gaillard said: "We are puzzled. We have had no contact from Chelsea. The situation last night, as far as we are concerned, was rather normal.

"We had people in the dressing room area, probably more people than normal, and they didn't notice anything going on. We are rather surprised."

Frisk is also set to reject Chelsea's claims that he was put under pressure by Rijkaard.

The Swedish referee has told colleagues that nothing happened and his report to UEFA is expected to say the same.

A spokesman for the Swedish FA said: "Frisk spoke to our referees' committee chairman Bo Karlsson last night and told him nothing at all happened in the tunnel at half-time."

Rijkaard dismissed the incident as a ridiculous invention saying: "This is just an excuse. Everybody could see who was the better team out on the pitch. Chelsea are just angry because of the defeat."

His stance was backed up by Barcelona's Mexican defender Rafael Marquez, who said: "This is just an excuse. Everybody could see who was the better team out on the pitch. Chelsea are just angry because of the defeat."

Marquez's comments are sure to increase the ill-feeling between two clubs, who have spent much of the past week at loggerheads. Mourinho opened hostilities by questioning Rijkaard's coaching methods. The Dutchman finds himself bemused by Chelsea's aggressive attitude.

He said: "I am curious about what the Chelsea declaration will be. There was a lot of talking before the game and now surprisingly there is a lot of talking after the game.

"It is not good behaviour after a match.

"This is not a corrrect way to behave. I think Chelsea's reaction is over the top. All I said was, 'Hello, pleased to meet you,' to the referee and something about the game."

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UEFA: No Barcelona bust-up

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