Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho charged with misconduct by FA for referee comments

Jose Mourinho during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea

Jose Mourinho has been charged by The FA for misconduct in relation to comments he made about refereeing following Chelsea’s game against Southampton on 28 December. Mourinho made his comments after his side were denied a penalty in the frustratingly drawn match at 1-1.

"It is alleged his remarks constitute improper conduct in that they allege and/or imply bias on the part of a referee or referees and/or bring the game into disrepute," read a statement released by the FA.

He has until 6pm on 13 January 2015 to respond to the charge.

There is a campaign against Chelsea: Mourinho

During the stalemate at St. Mary’s, referee Anthony Taylor had booked Cesc Fabregas for diving after going down in the box under Matt Targett's challenge. Replays showed, however, that Fabregas had indeed been tripped by Matt Targett

Jose Mourinho had said in the post-match conference, "Everybody knows it was a penalty."

"There is a campaign against Chelsea. I don't know why there is this campaign and I do not care.

“The referee made a mistake, people make mistakes and he made a big mistake. He is a good referee and a good guy, he is young, he has years and years of football ahead of him but it is a big mistake.”

Chelsea announced after the FA challenge that Mourinho would not attend Friday's news conference ahead of the weekend meeting with Newcastle.