Real Madrid and Barcelona charged

UEFA have charged Real Madrid and Barcelona after their tempestuous Champions League semi-final at the Bernabeu last night, in which Madrid manager Jose Mourinho accused Barcelona of receiving favours from referee Wolfgang Stark.

Barca won this game 2-0 with a brace from Lionel Messi proving to be the difference, but it was the off-field action that took centre stage. Real Madrid’s Pepe was sent off for a tackle on Dani Alves after 60 minutes, which prompted a sarcastic response from the Portuguese manager, resulting in him being sent to the stands.



Barcelona also had their reserve keeper Jose Pinto sent off at half-time following a fracas as both teams left the field of play at the break.



In his post-game interview, Mourinho vented his anger after seeing his side finish with ten men for the fourth game in a row against Barcelona.



“It's clear that against Barcelona you have no chance," the Portuguese said. "I don't know if it's the publicity of Unicef (the club's shirt sponsor), I don't know if it's because they are very nice, but they've got this power.



"I don't know if it's the friendship of (Spanish football federation president Angel Maria) Villar at Uefa, where he is vice-president."



Real Madrid players Xabi Alonso and Raul Albiol were also very critical of Stark’s performance.



Following his remarks, Barcelona lodged a formal complaint with UEFA, who have now decided to investigate Mourinho’s claims, along with the red card shown to Jose Pinto.



Madrid have now moved to counteract the actions of UEFA, and have released a statement though their website criticising Stark’s decision to send Pepe off.



“(the sending off of Pepe) changed the course of what was an evenly-fought match (but) was not worthy of a red card", adding that video showed "the player only touched the ball".