Platini ‘loves’ Mourinho despite ‘stupid comments’

MADRID: UEFA boss Michel Platini says he loves Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho even if he said “stupid things” about favouritism that led to a three-match ban.

“I have a special affection for him. I love Mourinho,” Platini said in an interview with Spanish sports daily La Marca published Thursday.

“I like the man. His personality and as a coach. That does not take away the fact that the UEFA disciplinary bodies are going to deal with him,” he said in Nyon, Switzerland.

“He said stupid things. That is why the disciplinary committee acted and decided to sanction him.”

Real Madrid’s appeal against the three-match ban handed to 48-year-old Mourinho for his comments after the first leg of Real’s Champions League semi-final defeat by Barcelona will be heard on July 29.

European football’s governing body gave a three-match European ban to Mourinho, with one match suspended, after he made allegations of favouritism towards Barcelona during the April 27 game.

He was also ordered to pay a 50,000-euro (72,000 dollars) fine.

“I know that you in the newspapers have written or will write that Platini intervened (in the sanction)… it is not true,” Platini said.

“I don’t deal with disciplinary matters or referees,” he added.

“But that does not stop me liking him. When I played there were referees I had a very good relations with and they gave me yellow cards. My father slapped me when I was naughty as a child and it was because he loved me.”

Barcelona won the first leg of the Champions League semi-final 2-0 at Real’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium before a 1-1 draw in the return leg took them into the final, where they beat Manchester United.