Uefa 'ignored' Frisk's report
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.If ever there was a corridor of uncertainty, it is the one which links the dressing-rooms at the Nou Camp.
If ever there was a corridor of uncertainty, it is the one which links the dressing-rooms at the Nou Camp. The "who-said-what-to-whom?" saga which has followed Chelsea's Champions' League visit to Barcelona rumbles on with one leak suggesting Uefa, European football's governing body, ignored Anders Frisk's match report, and another indicating that it would not alter matters if they had included the referee's observations.
It is claimed the 25-page report into the affair, commissioned by Uefa's Control and Disciplinary Committee, and produced by the investigator Edgar Obertuefer, did not contain any references to Frisk's report. The Swedish referee is understood to have been approached three times by Frank Rijkaard before finally telling the Barcelona coach to return to his dressing-room.
While this appears to vindicate Chelsea's claim that Rijkaard had spoken to Frisk, there appears to be no evidence that Rijkaard actually went into the referee's room, as Chelsea alleged.
A separate leak says Rijkaard, after making an initial greeting of: "Hello, welcome to Barcelona", which everyone agrees took place, added: "There is only one team playing football out there." Frisk responded: "No. No more - not now," and sent Rijkaard away.
Jose Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, was fined £9,000 and banned from the touchline for the quarter-final with Bayern Munich after claiming that Rijkaard had entered Frisk's room and that he was "not surprised" when Didier Drogba was subsequently dismissed.
That Uefa did not even consider Frisk's report does tend to support the club's belief that the governing body were intent on punishing Mourinho. However, the referee's report does not vindicate the Chelsea manager, even if it makes his suspicions more understandable.
Chelsea have said they will not be appealing against Mourinho's punishment. Neither Rijkaard nor Mourinho attended club press conferences yesterday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments