Uefa clears Mourinho of forcing Frisk into retirement

The Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was yesterday cleared by Uefa, the European governing body, over claims that he was responsible for the retirement of the referee Anders Frisk.

Mourinho has been heavily criticised, with suggestions that his berating of Frisk's performance in Chelsea's Champions' League tie at Barcelona had sparked the threats which prompted the referee to quit the game. However, Uefa has now confirmed that on that precise accusation Mourinho has no case to answer. The Uefa director of communications William Gaillard said: "Uefa have never said that Mourinho caused Frisk to resign. This is a big logical jump. All we're saying is that some statements from managers and players are misconstrued by the public at large who are not mentally stable."

The behaviour of the former Porto manager remains under investigation, however, and his conduct in Barcelona will be considered by Uefa's control and disciplinary body next Thursday. Mourinho suggested that Frisk met with the Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard in his dressing-room at half-time in the first leg of Chelsea's last-16 tie at the Nou Camp. Frisk chose to retire after his family's safety was called into question by the anonymous threats.

Chelsea also face possible fines for failing to attend the Nou Camp post-match press conference and for sending their players out late for the second half.