Spain to probe Jose's eye-poking incident
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Shanghai Daily, August 24, 2011
Spain's soccer federation has opened an investigation into Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho's eye-poking incident in last week's Spanish Super Cup match against Barcelona.
Officials examined television images of the moment when Mourinho jabbed a finger into the eye of Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova, who responded by cuffing the Portuguese round the back of the head. Both men are being investigated.
A huge scuffle between the two sides took place at the end of Wednesday's match in the Nou Camp stadium, when Barcelona was crowned Super Cup winner, after Real defender Marcelo leaped feet first into a tackle with Barca new boy Cesc Fabregas.
Brazilian Marcelo, his German teammate Mesut Ozil and Barca's Spanish international David Villa were all shown red cards after the melee. All three were banned for one match by the federation.
Earlier, European champion Barcelona said it had refrained from making an official complaint against Mourinho.
"We have decided not to (make an official complaint against Mourinho)" Barca president Sandro Rosell said on Monday. "The public have given their opinion. They are very clear that what this person did wasn't right. The (Spanish football) federation will act if they want to.
"We have to act sensibly, reduce the levels of tension and try not to stir it up or we'll end up killing each other in the street. The problem isn't ours, it is theirs."
Mourinho denied the incident had happened and his spokesman Eladio Parames told daily El Mundo: "Jose doesn't ask for forgiveness.
"He is very clear that he is defending Madrid. All he is interested in is his work and to make sure that the club where he works wins as many titles as possible. But if his rivals work with the dark arts, he is absolutely clear he will not remain impassive."
