http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ilence?cc=4716
Mourinho breaks silence, urges fair play
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has ended his recent silence by thanking the club's fans & insisting Los Blancos r ready 2 fight 2 ensure campaigns against racism & in favour of fair play will not "just be words".
Mourinho, 48, has not spoken 2 the media since being handed a 5-match ban by UEFA 4 his actions during & after the fiery Champions League semi-final 1st leg against Barcelona @ the Bernabeu last month.
In his post-match conference, the Portuguese boss slammed wat he perceived 2 be favouritism 2wards Barca, & Real subsequently made complaints 2 UEFA, accusing the Catalans of "feigning aggressions" & then claiming Marcelo was racially abused by Sergio Busquets.
UEFA ultimately dismissed those allegations of racism due 2 "a lack of strong & convincing evidence,'' while European football's governing body also rejected Madrid's complaint abt the supposed actions of Barca's players during the match.
Mourinho appeared 2 allude 2 those decisions in Monday's message to supporters, which was shown on Real Madrid's official website.
"The season has finished & I 1 2 thank the Real Madrid supporters 4 all the affection & support they hv given 2 both the team & the coaching staff," Mourinho said. "We've worked seriously & with dedication, but obviously we leave 2 u the analysis the work tis squad has done during tis last year.
"We will return on July 11 with the same passion & with the same motivation as always 2 continue trying 2 dignify the prestige & the incomparable history of Real Madrid.
"Finally, I 1 2 end with a very simple wish, which is that next season we recover certain principles tat nobody should ever forget, & which tis season some football professionals & some institutions hv sometimes forgotten, & which must be the basis of our sport.
"2 talk of fair-play, of respect 2 your opponents & of the red card 2 racism must not just be words, they must be facts. I repeat, I hv the hope tat next season we can recover 4 our sport these absolutely fundamental principles.''
In the wake of the incidents fr the Champions League semi, which Barca won 3-1 on aggregate 2 progress thru 2 a final showdown with ManU @ Wembley, UEFA's control & disciplinary body announced various sanctions.
Mourinho, who was sent off in the 1st leg 4 his reaction 2 Pepe's 2nd-half red card, was also fined 50,000 euros as well as his 5-match ban - 1 of which he served in the 2nd leg & another of which is suspended.
Madrid midfielder Pepe was given a 1-game ban, which he served in the 2nd leg, 4 his sending off, while the capital club were also fined 20,000 euros 4 the behaviour of their fans.
Barca reserve goalkeeper Jose Pinto, who was red-carded aft a scuffle @ half-time @ the Bernabeu, was given a 3-game ban. Mourinho's comments b4 & aft the semi-final 1st leg caused a huge controversy.
Prior 2 the game he hit out @ opposite number Pep Guardiola & then following his side's defeat he insinuated Barca receive favourable treatment fr the authorities & claimed the Catalan club had yet 2 win a "clean'' Champions League title under Guardiola.
Tis was Mourinho's 1st season in charge of Madrid, with whom he won the Copa del Rey with victory over Barca in the final & finished 2nd 2 Guardiola's side in the Primera Division.