As expected, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has hit out at Diego Costa ’s three-match ban and the overturning of Gabriel Paulista’s red card by insisting: “Retaliation is now allowed.”
The Special One claimed he would suffer a heavy touchline suspension if he gave his true feelings about the retrospective FA action taken after Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal on Saturday.
But he claimed the flashpoint between Costa and Arsenal defender Gabriel was nothing more than a “men’s discussion”.
And he was furious that Gabriel had been cleared for retaliation – after Nemanja Matic had been sent off for hitting back at Burnley’s Ashley Barnes, for what Mourinho believes was a potentially leg-breaking tackle last season.
Mourinho said:
“We know something which is that retaliation is allowed now. You can do it.”
Asked to compare Saturday’s clash with the incident involving Matic and Barnes, the Chelsea boss said: “You cannot compare a leg almost broken with men’s discussion, you cannot compare that with a leg almost broken. That’s what it was, a mens’ discussion.”
On Costa’s ban, Mourinho added:
“I don’t comment (more) because if I bring examples and go deep and bring feelings into the discussion a big suspension for me will be waiting and I don’t want that. The team doesn’t need that.
“We lost an important player for three match and don’t need to lose their manager. So I prefer to keep calm and quiet.”
Costa is now banned from matches against Newcastle and Southampton, after missing the 4-1 Capital One Cup victory at Walsall.
And Mourinho said: “I don’t know if the squad can cope (with Costa’s ban). Every time you lose a player it’s not good for the team and it’s easier to accept an injury.
If Mourinho is upset with this ban, he will claim a witchhunt against the champions if the FA hits him with a five-match ban for the Eva Carneiro incident as is being rumored.
