Fergie slams Mourinho claims

April 27, 2007

Sir Alex Ferguson

SIR Alex Ferguson has launched a stinging attack on Jose Mourinho and says he is 'surprised' the Chelsea boss has not been called to account for his claims this season.

In the past week alone, Mourinho has claimed Premier League games are now being played to 'new rules', stating Chelsea were denied a clear penalty at Newcastle on Sunday, while United had not conceded two against Sheffield United and Middlesbrough.

Although Mourinho did not accuse any individuals, or outline who he felt was responsible for the 'rule change', it left Ferguson feeling the Blues manager was questioning the integrity of the English game.

Then, to further fan the flames, Mourinho labelled fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo 'a liar' after the Portugal winger launched his own counter-attack, claiming the former Porto chief cannot accept failure.

Now Ferguson has entered the debate, leaving Mourinho in no doubt he does not think much of his present behaviour.

Surprise

"Jose Mourinho seems to be on some sort of personal crusade about regulations," observed the Scot.

"I am surprised no action has been taken against him. He just seems to go on, and on, and on. Everybody gets bad decisions, you just have to get on with it.

"He is saying our game is suspicious. That is wrong.

"He abused Barcelona in the past, a Swedish referee (Anders Frisk), a German referee (Markus Merk) and the other night he said Liverpool players were going to hunt down Didier Drogba to get him booked. That is very disappointing.

"As for Cristiano Ronaldo, everyone is entitled to have a comment or opinion. That doesn't mean to say they are liars.

"He is on about changing regulations. Who is doing it? The FA? The Premier League? UEFA?"

What do you think? Have your say.

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Jonathan Chin, Truly Asia (27/04/2007 at 13:30)

Good one Fergie.

Paulo (27/04/2007 at 13:34)

once again Fergie comes out on top with the mind games! top marks!

Loyal to the End (31 years, City Fans, 31 years), Nottingham, ex-Malaysia (27/04/2007 at 13:40)

Hohoho!!! Get 'im, gaffer!!

Kevin, Tralee, Eire (27/04/2007 at 13:44)

I don't think this has anything to do with penalties given or not given as the case may be, but more to do with Mourinho, for the first time in his EPL career, feeling under real pressure. He's lashing out at anything & anyone to try to deflect attention away from his own personal shortcomings as a manager at a top club. SAF has been in this position countless times before & knows exactly how to conduct himself in the media, when to push hard & also, more importantly when to back off. Mourinho would do well to learn to keep his counsel sometimes & maybe do a distance learning course from the SAF school of diplomacy.

Demo, Glossop (27/04/2007 at 14:04)

interesting comments saf lets hope it sparks an investigation in moroniho's comments as he has got away with it far too often!

he does nothing but moan to try and deflect attention away from the failings of his billion pound squad and make excuses! well jose nobody cares or believes you! you might be special alright but not in the special you think

StretfordBLUE, Virginia (27/04/2007 at 14:09)

Ronald Reagan's famous saying was "there you go again". There is SAF pissing in his soup. Of course, the rags play to different rules, and of course teams don't get penalties at the swamp. Come on SAF, be honest, I may not agree with Mourinho's rant but there is truth in what she says. What will be SAF's rant when we turn you over at COMS.

Steve Chew, usa (27/04/2007 at 14:13)

SAF is right. In every issue you have to draw a line and cannot spew verbal rantings without limits. You have a right to your opinions but you also have to express them responsibly.

dpkmanc, Levenshulme (27/04/2007 at 14:25)

Kevin, Tralee - your nearer to America than manchester - why don't you support your local club? If you feel the need to jump on a bandwagon you glory-hunter, I suggest Chelsea's, as I believe they are going to win 4 (four) trophies this year! MOURINHO -OH -OH -OH -OH!

BrewDevil, Clemson,USA (27/04/2007 at 14:39)

Mourinblo is showing the strain from a severe case of job insecurity. Think about it. If you had fallen into the lap of luxury and been able to spend with reckless abandon and without consequence for so long, would you not be panicked at the thought of having to EARN your bread again amongst the commoners? The fact is the last thing Jose wants is to go to another club, probably even a big one, and actually have to compete on equal terms in the transfer market. He favors a style of football so uninspiring - like the world of fashion in that it is a form of ugliness so dreadful that it has to be thrown out every six months - that the only way to get world class players to subject themselves to it is to pay them over the top.

Steve McCrory (27/04/2007 at 14:56)

Mourinho has had all the money in the World and spent it, only to see Man U be a far better team to watch this season. Like Fergie stated, all teams get bad decisions even at crucial times like now in the season, its football! It would be justice on Peter Kenyon the Judas who stole all Uniteds intentions and sold himself into the bargain Chelski if United won the treble this season. Keep moaning Mourinho....as good as you think you are.

Duffer, NJ via Dublin (27/04/2007 at 15:06)

dpkmanc, no o level for you in Geography, you bitter muppet. I see you are all getting ready for your semi annual cup final with the world class squad of Manchester. At least you have two big occasions to look forward to every year, so long as you stay up! We have to work hard for our big games, and we have 7 remaining this season. So sit back and enjoy......

dpkmanc, Levenshulme (27/04/2007 at 15:08)

Chin - you're a chump!

BrewDevil, Clemson,USA (27/04/2007 at 15:22)

MourinHo is showing the strain of suffering from severe case of job insecurity. Think about it: if any of you had fallen into the lap of luxury and been able to spend unchecked with reckless abandon for a few years, would you not be panicked at the prospect of having to EARN your bread again amongst the commoners? The last thing he really wants is to go to another club and have to compete in the transfer market on somewhat even terms. He favors a style of football so uninspiring, unless you appreciate creative diving - much like the world of high fashion in that it is a form of ugliness so dreadful that it has to be thrown out every six months - that the only way to get world class players to subject themselves to it is to outrageously pay them over the top.

shanny, Hyde, Cheshire (27/04/2007 at 15:30)

How many years was it the rags opponents did not get any penalties awarded? About 10, I think. Jose is not far from the truth, this is why fergie's gone off on one! Sven for united!

DC, Amsterdam (27/04/2007 at 15:43)

dpkmanc, you are nearer to Watford than old trafford, just check the table. ha ha ha ha ha

Sean, NYXMC (27/04/2007 at 16:04)

DPK (which I assume is an abbreviation of "dipstick") - I think you'll find that Tralee is a tad closer to Manchester than America, by maybe 2,000 miles... Part of the greatness of this club is that they have fans spread all over the world, and the reason they have fans spread all over the world is because they have such a great history, freat players, great managers, great success, and because they have a tradition of always playing flowing attacking football. There are some things money can't buy - history, tradition and class are among them, and the latter is something that the new Chelsea clearly lack (it wasn't always so). I used to think Mourinho had it, but he has stepped way over the line recently. To call a fellow professional a "liar" for having the temerity to disagree with his own paranoid opinions (and they are nothing more than that) is completely unacceptable. I hope that he will apologize, and am sure he will be coerced to do so - if not, the FA should step in.

K Stand Red, Salford (27/04/2007 at 16:07)

dpkmanc and stretfordblue, why dont you lot just go back to your own sorry forum? I thought you lot had enough going with the Ranson takeover and wardle promising 'significant' funds. And dpkmanc, might it not occur to you that United play the kind of football people actually want to watch? Unlike your sorry excuse of a football team who haven't scored at home since New Year. tut tut tut

redarmy, rochdale (27/04/2007 at 16:15)

word up?? dont funk with the fergster,hes not been the most successfull manager in england for 20 years for nothing,or the most successfull manager ever???so maureen shut up and play with your lego.

Alias Smith, over the moon (27/04/2007 at 16:23)

Expect another rant from Mourinho if we beat Everton tomorrow, because he and his conspiratory paranoia will have a field day with the following.

1. Tim Howard is ineligible to play against us. 2. Andy Johnson is (hopefully) unfit to play. 3. Everton get an extra half a million on the Rooney deal if we win the league!

Blimey, all we need is a controversial penalty tomorrow and I think he may explode.

bobbydazzler (27/04/2007 at 16:48)

stretford blue you ignoramus. how many penalties have been awarded against chelsea at the bridge? check you will find the answer is 0. then see how many been awarded against united.

citizen (27/04/2007 at 17:02)

It's rather amusing listening to Ferguson attacking another manage for faults which he himself is guilty of.The fact that Jose Mourinho does it much better and with more mordant wit is irrelevant.Ferguson recently accused Middlesborough of the same crime he his now accusing Mourinho,and that is going after Ronaldho.Ferguson then tells us he is" surprised" that the Chelsea boss has not been called to account for his claims this season.He himself as been making similar claims for over twenty years.This is a case of the pot calling the kettle.

Loyal to the End (31 years, City Fans, 31 years), Nottingham, ex-Malaysia (27/04/2007 at 17:04)

dpkmanc, and while we're on the subject of supporting local clubs, I would assume you're a Stockport supporter?

Spike, Ldn (27/04/2007 at 17:14)

haha, this is soooo funny, it's funny how football goes in cycles, this will be a good lesson to Jose, stay humble in your success. The self proclaimed special one... i have no problem with confidence but c'mon, he is managing in a league with england's most successful manager, i have never heard words like that come out of SAF's mouth.... Anyway jose is undoubtably going to crack, and soon, just like Keegan... I think it was Graeme Souness's comment that really ticked him off. next few weeks are going to be commical watching this man deflate.

hodie, wiltshire (27/04/2007 at 17:18)

Nice one Fergie. If Moronio was trying to influence refs (perish the thought) then we all know whose soup really has been peed in.

Jonathan Chin, Truly Asia (27/04/2007 at 17:19)

dpkmanc, r u jealous we got fans from outside Manchester? Please visit ur own website more frequent cause i worry they will close due to no support.

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