Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho could be suspended up to 12 games for his altercation with Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova during a Spanish Supercup game-ending brawl.
The Spanish football federation opened disciplinary proceedings against the Spanish clubs Tuesday, six days after Barcelona won the trophy in a fight-marred finale.
Mourinho walked toward Vilanova and appeared to poke him in the eye during the onfield melee between both benches.
Under rules 98 and 100 of the federation disciplinary code, the Portuguese coach could be banned between four to 12 games while Vilanova — whose actions are being investigated under articles 111 and 122 — could be sanctioned for four games after retaliating with a push.
The altercation came when both benches cleared onto the field following Madrid defender Marcelo’s ugly challenge on Cesc Fabregas just before injury time.
Marcelo and teammate Mesut Oezil and Barcelona striker David Villa were all subsequently shown red cards and were all given one-game bans by the federation on Tuesday.
The clubs have 10 days to present their cases.
Barcelona won the match at the Camp Nou 3-2 and two-legged series 5-4 for its 10th Supercup.
The melee seems to have been a result of the obvious tension between the bitter rivals, who have played six times since April.
On Tuesday there were conflicting reports out of Spain that Mourinho may seek to leave the club after his spokesman Eladio Parames reportedly told Canal Plus TV that “he doesn’t feel embraced by the club directors”.
Parames subsequently denied the remark and said Mourinho was “happy” at Madrid and looking to see out his deal, which runs to 2014.
Madrid offered no comment to the Associated Press on the reports. — Sapa-AP