English FA queries Mourinho over ‘tactical foul’ comments
Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho has been asked by the English Football Association to provide his observations on comments he made ahead of last weekend’s derby against Manchester City.
Mourinho has until 6 p.m. on December 18 to respond to the request, relating to comments made on December 8, two days before the match, which City won 2-1 at Old Trafford.
An FA statement did not specify which particularly remarks were of interest, although Mourinho suggested in a news conference that City players are prone to going to the ground and to commit “tactical fouls.”
In his pre-match press conference, Mourinho at first praised City’s talent, but then added: “If you ask me one thing that I don’t like a lot it’s that they lose their balance very easily. You know, a little bit of wind and they fall.”
He later told multiple English newspapers that when City lose the ball, “many times they need what is called a tactical foul. Then it is up to the referee to analyse and make a decision about it, but I cannot speak about that.”
Mourinho also suggested he would not be allowed to wear a ribbon like the one that City boss Pep Guardiola has worn in support of imprisoned Catalan politicians.
