Mourinho vs Conte: Man Utd boss brings up match-fixing as war of words escalates

JOSE MOURINHO went a step further in his war words with Antonio Conte tonight by bringing up the match fixing scandal which dogged the Chelsea boss while in Italy.
Conte was banned for four months while in charge of Juventus for failing to report match fixing while in charge of Siena.

He was later fully acquitted of all wrong-doing and has remained insistent that he did nothing wrong.

However speaking after Manchester United’s game with Derby Mourinho put the boot in after Conte had said he had senile dementia in his Chelsea press conference earlier in the day.

“I don’t blame him,” Mourinho said. “The press should apologise to me and him.
“Question completely wrong and because of that, out of control reaction.

“I was speaking about myself. You said Mourinho said you behaved as a clown. I was speaking about myself.

“I don’t need Chelsea manager to say I made mistakes in past and will in future. What I will say is I will never be banned for match fixing.”

The comments relate to Conte’s time in Italy when in charge of Juventus.

Conte served his four-month ban before getting the Italy job.
But Conte, while in charge of Italy, was cleared in full.

“It was a full acquittal. What matters is that for him, this story is over,” said Francesco Arata, one of Conte’s lawyers after the ruling was read out.

“We talked to Conte on the phone and he was very happy.”




Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Carlo Tavecchio welcomed the decision, telling Italian newspaper Il Sole: “I am highly satisfied with the court’s acquittal of Antonio Conte.

“Finally his position has been clarified and my confidence in him has never been in question. Now we are all the more focused on the Euros.”

Conte made a public statement on the situation: “Four years ago, a search of my house at 5am ushered in a nightmare period that at times I felt would go on forever.

“Those who stood by me, and who know me best, know how much I have struggled with the idea that my name might be associated with the shameful world of match-fixing. Today finally draws a line under this ugly story.
“I thank my family and the many people who never believed even for a moment the words which presented a false image of my lifestyle.
“As I have already said to those who were trying to judge me, I am a sportsman and I know no other way to achieve success than through sacrifice and total dedication.

“It was a terrible experience and I have faced it head on. This is demonstrated by the fact that I decided to take part in the process, as I have always done in life, rather than looking for loopholes.

“To all those who never doubted my honesty, I want to express my gratitude, and reassure them that I have emerged from this testing time as a stronger and more highly motivated person.”

But he is likely to be furious with Mourinho’s comments and the next time they meet – at Old Trafford on February 25 – will be interesting.

Source:www.express.co.uk