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LONDON. – Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has reaffirmed his belief that English Premiership soccer referees are placed under too much pressure as he faced the media ahead of today’s game at Swansea.Mourinho returned to Press conference duties after serving a self-imposed ban after comments he made after their 1-1 draw with Southampton on December 28 led to an FA charge, which he subsequently appealed.
He claimed there was a “clear campaign” by “people, pundits, commentators and coaches from other teams” against his English Premier League leaders and labelled the yellow card shown to Cesc Fabregas for diving at St Mary’s a “scandal”.
Mourinho was in more jovial mood ahead of the trip to the Liberty Stadium but maintained “every decision is going against us”.
“Now I am in conditions to control myself and one week ago I couldn’t,” he said.
“It would have put myself under bigger problems, so now I can smile and control my words.”
The Chelsea boss was keen to stress he has no issues with officials themselves and admitted he was happy to apologise for comments made to referee Kevin Friend in relation to a spurned penalty appeal in their FA Cup victory over Watford.
“We’re not against the referees,” he added.
“We understand the job is not an easy one. I am happy to admit my mistakes, so when I spoke with Kevin Friend and realised that it was my mistake and not his mistake, I was more than happy to apologise, so there are no problems.
“But the reality is that every decision is going against us and the results were affected by that but far from us – very far from us – to put any doubt about the honesty of the people.”
Mourinho also commented on Manchester City’s signing of Swansea striker Wilfried Bony for £28 million, complementing the player but taking a sideswipe at City in the progress.
“Well done, well done. He is a good striker and they can spend the money if they have no problems with Financial Fair Play. Well done,” he said.- Sky Sports.
Online Reporter