David Shonfield
JOSE Mourinho's return to Spain was always going to be theatrical. The question was whether it would play as drama or farce. Now he seems to be combining the two.
Real Madrid meet Atletico tomorrow night in a derby to decide who goes through to the semi-finals of the Spanish Cup. Real are 3-1 up from the first leg and should have few problems in front of their own fans. But you wouldn't know it from the hysteria that has broken out at the Bernabeu after a late change of referee.
Mourinho is already at loggerheads with the Spanish referees association – the latest disciplinary action stems from his outburst after the 1-1 draw at Almeria, where his team suffered a couple of dodgy decisions.
So inevitably referees are under scrutiny, as the Spanish football federation remarked in its preview of the cup tie:“Turienzo Alvarez will be under the watchful eye of Mourinho, who considers himself prejudiced by referees over recent matches.”
Cue a five paragraph diatribe from the club:
“Angry at these direct references on the official website... Enormously serious that the Spanish Football Federation should make such remarks about our coach... They clearly demonstrate a prejudice that is a long way from the objectivity, neutrality and balance which should inform the organisation's official publications...The Federation is predisposing referees against the coach and the club... We demand action is taken for what we believe is a lack of respect and consideration to the coach of our team, the club itself and the fans."
The offending sentence was rapidly deleted from the website on Wednesday morning, and the Federation has described it as 'unfortunate'. But if you think there might be a little more to this than meets the eye you'd be right.
Javier Turienzo Alvarez is a dapper 40-something with a quiff who clearly fancies himself. Thus far the resemblance with Mourinho is obvious, but Turienzo has never quite made it to the top.
One reason is that he's card-happy. He started out 12 years ago averaging five yellows a game, and has continued in the same vein ever since. Periodically he manages double figures, the latest example being last month when Real Madrid beat Levante 8-0 in the cup, and Turienzo awarded them five yellows apiece.
But his main claim to fame has to be the match in April 2007 when Fabio Capello's Real Madrid side visited Santander, chasing the title and needing a win to keep the pressure on Barcelona.
Madrid were a goal up and looking comfortable when Turienzo awarded the home team a truly flakey penalty. Worse followed. Chasing the game in the dying minutes, Madrid had two players sent off and then conceded a second penalty to lose the match 2-1.
Turienzo went into hiding following that one, after receiving a number of rather unpleasant messages on his mobile. The headline in Marca that day was Verdugo Turienzo, Turienzo the Executioner, and his late appointment for this match has evidently sent Mourinho incandescent - and the Real Madrid PR department hiding under their desks.
Turienzo's first ever Madrid derby now threatens to become the biggest match of his career. It has also become a surprisingly significant game for Mourinho: the Spanish Cup may be his best chance of a trophy this season. The scoreline is anyone's guess, but bearing in mind Turienzo's record, a busy night is definitely on the cards.
Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/SNdLec_Mx9M/post.aspx
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