Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho apologised to referee Kevin Friend after criticising him for not giving Chelsea a penalty kick during their 3-0 FA Cup victory over Championship side Watford on Sunday. Craig Cathcart apparently handled a Diego Costa shot inside the penalty area and Mourinho said the decision was part of the so-called "campaign" against his team.
He changed his mind a few minutes later, praising Kevin Friend for "great refereeing". He added: "I want to apologise for my comments in some TV interviews." The incident involving Cathcart led to a goal anyway, as the ball fell to Loic Remy who fired it home on a half-volley. Moreover, the referee told Mourinho he would have awarded a penalty kick had the striker not scored.
"What the referee did was great refereeing," Mourinho said after hearing Friend's explanation. "He saw that it was a penalty, he was going to give a penalty, but he saw the ball was going to Remy and he waited a couple of seconds. He told me that if Remy didn't control the ball well or the ball goes over the bar or the ball is lost, he would have given the penalty."
Chelsea are currently 9/2 at Bet365 to win the FA Cup this season.
timidi 10 years ago Newbie
@sharpe yes this is first time and also this is first time to hear Mourinho apologize to anybody :) but this is Mourinho he do things which nobody expect and that is why he is the special one. But chelsea is in hat for next round and that is important. They are my first favorite to win this competition and Mourinho is main...
@sharpe yes this is first time and also this is first time to hear Mourinho apologize to anybody :) but this is Mourinho he do things which nobody expect and that is why he is the special one. But chelsea is in hat for next round and that is important. They are my first favorite to win this competition and Mourinho is main reason because he know how to win a trophy :)
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sharpe
10 years ago
Super Hero
For the first time that I heard Mourinho said something good about whoever referee ; ) In the last week or two he said many things against them and maybe he thinks it is time to change the course.I don't think referees are guilty for any of the Chelsea's results from the start of the season.
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