UEFA report backs Mourinho et al.

Chelsea's version of events at the now infamous match in Barcelona has been backed up by the venue director's own report to last week's Uefa disciplinary panel, it has been revealed.

Jose Mourinho was banned for two games last week and he and Chelsea fined for bringing the game into disrepute, after their claims that Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard met referee Anders Frisk in the match official's dressing room.

The club later accepted Frisk spoke to Rijkaard outside his room but have been adamant all along that such a talk took place -- a claim now supported by Uefa's venue director Pascal Fratellia.

The revelation will intensify Chelsea's fury at the way Uefa has handled the case, in particular with the club being branded cheats and liars by Uefa officials in the build-up to the disciplinary hearing.

The club could also claim there has been a cover-up of what really happened in the Nou Camp during the Champions League first leg on 23 February.

Fratellia says in his report that he personally spoke to Frisk immediately after the match.

His report states: "The referee told us that he had contact with Frank Rijkaard from the pitch to the front of his dressing room door (closed).

"Rijkaard wished to say hello to Frisk at the beginning of the tunnel and then tried to talk to him climbing the stairs.

"Frisk told us then that he said to Rijkaard that it was not the moment or the place to speak about any match situation and instructed him when he was in front of his dressing room door (closed) to go to his dressing room."

Frisk is understood to have reported a similar version of events to Uefa, but saying he could not understand some of what Rijkaard was saying.

However, Fratellia's version is somewhat contradicted by Uefa officials Frits Ahlstrom and Graham Turner, who were also present for the post-match meeting with Frisk.

It is understood Chelsea pointed out these inconsistencies at last week's disciplinary hearing in Switzerland, believing it showed the truth of what happened was not accurately conveyed by all those involved.

Assistant manager Steve Clarke and security official Les Miles had claimed to have seen Rijkaard coming out of Frisk's room but the fact they were only given reprimands indicates the panel accepted there had been a misunderstanding over where they actually saw him.

Chelsea are unlikely to appeal despite these revelations because they do not wish to risk lengthening Mourinho's ban.

Fratellia's version clears Frisk of any misbehaviour but does point the finger at Rijkaard.

Source: Sporting Life

This whole affair stinks of incompetence, conspiracy and corruption.

*Related links:*

* Rijkaard backs Mourinho ban * Rijkaard caught out over Frisk * Frisk 'ordered away' Rijkaard, says report * Frisk's report was buried * Uefa 'ignored' Frisk's report