Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho apologises for referee comments

Jose Mourinho apologised to referee Kevin Friend for criticising him in the wake of Chelsea’s 3-0 FA Cup victory over Watford.

Mourinho was unhappy with Friend’s decision not to award a penalty after Craig Cathcart handled in the area, although the ball fell to Loic Remy who scored to give the Blues a 2-0 lead.

The coach has been vocal in his criticism of officials in recent weeks, claiming there is a campaign against his team, but he subsequently apologised to Friend after learning the referee had planned to award a penalty before Remy’s strike.

“I want to apologise for my comments in some TV interviews,” Mourinho said.

“What the referee did was great refereeing,” Mourinho said after hearing Friend’s explanation.

“He saw that it was a penalty, he was going to give a penalty, but he saw the ball was going to Remy and he waited a couple of seconds.

“He told me that if Remy didn’t control the ball well or the ball goes over the bar or the ball is lost, he would have given the penalty.”

Credit: Michelle/Setanta Sport