Jose Mourinho Banned by Uefa

The Real Madrid manager, José Mourinho,also called the Special One was yesterday suspended for five games by  the football governing body; Uefa and fined €50,000 (£44,000) as punishment for his sending-off

during the Champions League semi-final, first leg against Barcelona, and his subsequent comments alleging a conspiracy to support his club's Spanish rivals. Real have already indicated that they will appeal.

Uefa termed his comments an "inappropriate statement", while Barcelona filed an official complaint. But because one match is suspended for three years and one has already been served – Mourinho having missed Tuesday's second leg against Barça – the Portuguese will miss just three more games, the first played by his side in European competition next season.

Uefa objected to Mourinho's suggestion that they supported Barcelona. "I don't know if it is to give publicity to Unicef or if it's the friendship of [Spanish FA chief Angel María] Villar at Uefa or if it's because they are very nice, but why does it always happen?" he asked. Barcelona having won 2-0 after Real's Pepe had been controversially sent off, Mourinho called the game "the scandal at the Bernabéu".