Monday, 14 December 2009

Mourinho accused of reporter clash

Inter coach Jose Mourinho has been accused of "physical and verbal aggression" towards a journalist after Sunday's 1-1 draw at Atalanta.

Jose MourinhoThe Italian Sport Union of Journalists (USSI) condemned Mourinho's alleged actions against Corriere dello Sport journalist Andrea Ramazzotti.

A statement from the USSI urged Inter President Massimo Moratti and the country's governing sporting bodies to investigate.


It read: "The physical and verbal aggression of Inter coach Jose Mourinho towards our colleague Andrea Ramazzotti marks one of the lowest and alarming moments in the relations between football and the sporting press.

"Mourinho was already cited, prior to the Champions League game with Rubin Kazan, for his uneducated and disrespectful tone that he used towards certain colleagues.

"This aggression marks an irresponsible and unacceptable escalation. USSI expresses not only its indignation, but a strong concern for gestures and the unspeakable behaviour that only increases tensions and controversies.

"It asks President Moratti to intervene firmly so that a member of his club (Mourinho) adapts to the great tradition of civility of the club and of the Moratti family.

"It asks as well of the FIGC (Italian Football Federation) that the sporting justice panel intervenes to examine the behaviour of Mourinho for eventual sanctions."

Mourinho watched Sunday's game from the stands as he served a one-match touchline ban.

Reports in Italy have claimed a heated argument took place between Mourinho and Ramazzotti outside the team bus.

Mourinho, who is due to hold a pre-match press conference on Tuesday ahead of their Coppa Italia match with Livorno, has not commented on the incident and has been largely avoiding the media since last Wednesday's victory over Rubin Kazan.

But Moratti briefly spoke to journalists, saying: "For the moment I'm not commenting on it because I still don't have all the facts to do so. But I'm sorry.

"I will talk to the head of the union to find out what he means by 'firm intervention'."

Source: Sporting Life

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