Mourinho rails at 'hypocrites' over fixture bias for Barça

(EPA)

Jose Mourinho, the Real Madrid coach, has lashed out at what he called the "hypocrites" who did not agree with his complaints that the La Liga calendar was unfair on his side and favoured Barcelona over other clubs.

In a colourful performance yesterday, the flamboyant Portuguese called one Spanish journalist a hypocrite to his face, though he later apologised and said he had only done it to make a point. After Real's 0-0 draw at Deportivo La Coruña on Saturday, which left them seven points behind the leaders Barça, Mourinho said his players had not had enough time to rest after the previous Tuesday's Champions League match at Lyons.

He repeated the complaint yesterday and noted Barça do not play at Seville until the Sunday after Tuesday's Champions League match at home to Arsenal, whereas Valencia must play on Wednesday at Schalke 04 and on Saturday at Real Zaragoza.

"It's you who have to comment on this and you can report this in a serious and balanced way or you can report it in a hypocritical way," Mourinho said, addressing some 40 journalists at the Real training ground outside Madrid.

"If you want to be hypocritical it's your problem," he added. "I am not afraid of saying the truth."

Real host struggling Malaga tonight and Mourinho will be without the Germany midfielder Sami Khedira, who is still recovering from a muscle strain, and Portugal central defender Pepe, who has flu. Malaga are coached by the man Mourinho replaced at Real, Manuel Pellegrini who is returning to the Bernabeu for the first time since he was sacked.

The agent of the Udinese midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah has claimed his client is a target for Manchester City. The 22-year-old Ghana international has attracted the attention of several European clubs with fine performances with Udinese this season.

"I cannot deny that there are several clubs interested," said Claudio Vagheggi. "Manchester City? It's true but they are not the only ones interested in Asamoah. Fiorentina were among the first to show an interest in the player. But we have decided not to speak about Udinese's transfer market right now because it is premature.

"Udinese's strategy is to focus on the season right now. If the team continues to do so well and perhaps reach an important goal by the end of this season, then Asamoah is likely to remain."