May 2 – In one of the most severe punishments ever handed out to backup coaching staff in top-flight English football, Rui Faria, assistant to Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, has been has been slapped with a six-match stadium ban for an altercation with officials during a recent Premier League game with Sunderland.
The Portuguese had to be restrained from confronting the referee after Sunderland had been awarded what turned out to the match-winning penalty on April 19 that put a huge dent into Chelsea’s title hopes.
He was sent off and later admitted two charges of misconduct. Faria, who has the right to appeal, has also been fined £30,000.
Faria’s punishment was confirmed after an independent disciplinary commission heard the evidence of his touchline clash when he had to be dragged away from the officials following Fabio Borini’s winning penalty for Sunderland that inflicted Mourinho’s first ever home defeat as Chelsea manager in 78 Premier League matches over two spells in charge.
The ban will cover Chelsea’s two remaining matches this season – at home to Norwich and away to Cardiff – and the first four domestic fixtures next season. Mourinho himself is contesting his own misconduct charge – his third of the season – following the same game. The latest relates to his sarcastic comments in congratulating the referee and head of the Premier League’s refereeing body.
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