Jose Mourinho blasts back at Chelsea rival Antonio Conte by claiming: ‘I’ll never be banned for match fixing’
JOSE MOURINHO and Antonio Conte had an amazing war of words, with the Manchester United boss claiming: “I’ll never be banned for match-fixing.”
The Chelsea chief sparked yesterday’s row by saying Mourinho is losing his mind and suffering with “demenza”.
But, late last night, the Special One went on the attack by dragging up the ban handed to Conte for failing to report match-rigging allegations when he was manager of Siena in 2011.
Chelsea boss Conte was given a ten-month ban and served four of them when he moved on to manage Juventus, before he was later cleared of any wrongdoing.
But he has found it hard to live down the stigma and will be furious at Mourinho’s comments.
After last night’s 2-0 FA Cup victory over Derby, Mourinho claimed he was trying to end the spat he started by saying managers should not behave like “clowns” on the touchline.
He said: “The only thing I have to say to end the story is that, yes, I have made mistakes in the past on the touchline. And, yes, I will make less in future. But I will still make a few.
“But what never happened to me — and will never happen — is to be suspended for match fixing.”
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When asked if he was referring to Conte’s ban for not reporting the match-fixing claims, Mourinho added: “Did he? Not me.”
It was a new twist after the day began with Conte claiming Mourinho seemed to be suffering from a form of “senile demenza” for ignoring his own touchline antics.
Conte said: “I think he has to see himself in the past, maybe he was speaking about himself in the past, yeah?
“It is like ‘senile demenza’ when you can’t remember things.”
Chelsea were adamant Conte was searching for the correct English phrase and meant “amnesia” rather than questioning Mourinho’s mental state.
But the Blues boss pulled no punches as he added (in direct reference to Mourinho): “When you forgot what you say in the past, your behaviours, and when you totally forgot, you must be worried as it means you are becoming old and you need a check.
“You must pay great attention when you speak as if you want to go to fight with me, I am ready.
“I am improving a bit my English because this is the real problem for me, otherwise we can go to fight. I’m ready to fight for me, my players, the club, with everyone, I have no problem.”