Laporta slams lifting of Mourinho ban

Posted Wednesday, July 11, 2012 by ESPN

Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta believes the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) should not have lifted Jose Mourinho's touchline ban.

During a Supercopa fixture between Barcelona and Real Madrid, Los Blancos manager Jose Mourinho and then Barcelona assistant manager Tito Vilanova were implicated in an incident that resulted in Mourinho poking his finger into Vilanova's eye. The newly appointed Catalan boss reacted with a retaliatory slap, and both parties were awarded touchline bans for their troubles. Mourinho was banned for two matches while his Spanish counterpart was given a one-match ban.

However, the RFEF has since decided to forgo punishing both parties, making it possible for Vilanova and Mourinho to take their place in the dugout for their team's Supercopa fixtures this season.

Barcelona present Sandro Rosell reacted with disappointment toward RFEF's decision to allow the Portuguese manager's supposed aggression to go unpunished, and former chief Laporta told Catalunya Radio that he felt similarly to Rosell.

"It is clear to me that Mourinho is the assailant, but the rules say that there may be a pardon, and we must respect them," he stated.

"Mourinho acted with premeditation, his aggression was from behind. It is a completely improper and ridiculous action."

However, the politician was quick to defend Vilanova's actions, stating that the Catalan club's boss was simply reacting to what had been done to him.

"Only Mourinho should have been punished, because Tito's reaction is normal when someone is trying to hurt you from behind," Laporta said.