The storm from Manchester City’s victory in Sunday’s Manchester derby seems not to have subsided and doesn’t appear to be subsiding soon. Following City’s 2:1 win over neighbours Manchester United at the Old Trafford, Pep Guardiola’s lads had proceeded to engage in loud celebrations in the away team’s open door dressing room much to the consternation of United’s staff and players. Whether City’s coach, Guardiola, had authorised the celebrations remains to be seen but according to reports from close sources United Manager, Jose Mourinho, had popped into City’s dressing room, on his way to the post match press conference, to register his displeasure. What he said to the celebrating players have not been confirmed, but a melee was reported to have ensued following the Portuguese’s intrusion. Mourinho and City’s keeper Ederson were said to have exchanged heated words while Mikel Arteta, City’s assistant coach, sustained a cut to his head from a bottle thrown by United striker Lukaku.
The FA had opened an investigation into the incident to substantiate the remote and immediate causes of the fracas with a view to punishing those who had broken rules. Both City and United have already been asked to state their own sides of the stories and the clubs have until 6 p.m. on Friday to respond to that request.
Meanwhile the Football Association have now mandated Mourinho to provide his observations on comments he made ahead of the derby game.
The two time Champions League winning coach, has until 6 p.m. on Dec. 18 to respond to the request, relating to comments made on Dec. 8, two days before the game at Old Trafford in which City opened an 11 points lead in the league.
An FA statement did not specify which particularly remarks were of interest, although Mourinho suggested in a news conference that City players are prone to going to the ground and to commit “tactical fouls.”
In his pre-match press conference, Mourinho at first praised City’s talent, but then added: “If you ask me one thing that I don’t like a lot it’s that they lose their balance very easily. You know, a little bit of wind and they fall.”
He later told multiple English newspapers that when City lose the ball, “many times they need what is called a tactical foul. Then it is up to the referee to analyse and make a decision about it, but I cannot speak about that.”
Mourinho also suggested he would not be allowed to wear a ribbon like the one that City boss Pep Guardiola has worn in support of imprisoned Catalan politicians.
Whether Mourinho’s statements may have broken laid down rules remains to be seen though.