Mourinho charged over comments

Inter coach Jose Mourinho has been charged with making "harmful remarks to the reputation of referees" after he alleged Juventus had benefited from mistakes by officials this term, the Italian Football Federation said in a statement yesterday.

An indication of his possible punishment had been expected but instead a federation tribunal will decide whether the outspoken Portuguese should face a fine or a touchline ban.

Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi has been charged with the same offence for alleging Inter's Mario Balotelli dived to win a penalty in Sunday's 3-3 draw.

Balotelli has been charged with making offensive gestures to an opponent after pulling a goal back for Inter. On scoring, Roma players said Balotelli started to insult them and then put his finger to his lips in a gesture to silence the visiting supporters at the San Siro.

"If I at 19 were to have had the same attitude as Balotelli, my team-mates back then, Giovanni Cervone and Giuseppe Giannini would have kicked me down," Roma captain Francesco Totti said.

"My coach Carlo Mazzone would have given me a couple of slaps."