Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he may sue a top European soccer official who called him ”an enemy of football”.
Volker Roth, chairperson of Uefa’s referees’ committee, blamed Mourinho for the resignation of referee Anders Frisk.
Frisk stepped down on Saturday, saying he had received death threats that were triggered by remarks Mourinho made about his officiating on February 23 in FC Barcelona’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea.
Chelsea defeated Barcelona 4-2 last week in the second leg to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
”There are two ways out of this: either he apologises or he’s going to court,” Mourinho said in a statement to Portuguese newspapers.
It was Mourinho’s first statement since Frisk resigned.
”I’ve read about it. I am curious and I am looking forward to the lawsuit,” Roth said in Frankfurt after a routine meeting of top German referees.
Roth also said Germany’s Fifa referees are in ”full solidarity” with Frisk.
”We are all shocked. I’ve been in contact with [Frisk] already twice and I can’t imagine him coming back,” Roth said.
After the loss to Barcelona, Mourinho said Frisk ”had a direct influence in the result” of the match.
Mourinho disputed a red card given to Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, which reduced Chelsea to 10 men in the 55th minute. He also alleged Frisk had talked at half-time with Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard, which had influenced his officiating in the second half.
Mourinho called criticism of referees ”normal” and suggested Frisk should have been able to handle it.
”A referee with Mr Frisk’s experience would not take such a drastic decision if his departure was, in fact, due to the criticism of his performance,” Mourinho said.
He also tried to separate his criticism of Frisk from threats against the Swede.
”If the reasons [for Frisk’s decision to quit] have to do with the threats, which of course are deplorable … then that is a matter for the police,” Mourinho said. — Sapa-AP