Allowing independent panels to punish players retrospectively for diving and other infringements would be a “disaster”, according to Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.
Chelsea had Willian and Diego Costa booked for simulation in a recent 2-0 Premier League win against Hull.
The number of bookings for diving led former referee Mark Halsey to suggest an independent panel could retrospectively punish players, but Mourinho disagreed.
“When you go to an independent panel to analyse and suspend players by video evidence, it is a disaster,” the Portuguese said.
“Last season you had players and clubs protected by panels. I saw somebody kick a player on the floor and hit him in the back, no suspension.
“I saw others doing minor things being suspended.”
Japan take Aguirre probe to Spain
The Japan FA has sent a delegation to Spain to conduct a probe into the match-fixing scandal that has embroiled national team coach Javier Aguirre.
The JFA have confirmed that Aguirre will remain in charge for the next month’s Asian Cup in Australia despite being one of 41 people accused by Spain’s anti-corruption prosecutors of rigging a match in 2011.
Aguirre has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
“I have sent (a mission) to Spain and from now on we will have information coming in,” JFA chief Kuniya Daini said.
Missed handball costly, says Garcia
Roma were left to rue a rejected penalty appeal after they suffered a setback to their Serie A title aspirations in a 0-0 home draw with a 10-man Milan on Saturday.
The second-placed hosts were fuming when Nigel de Jong handled the ball in the 32nd minute, swiping it away from Seydou Keita who was about to head at goal from point-blank range.
Neither Nicola Rizzoli nor his assistants saw the incident.
“The handball was blatant,” Roma boss Rudy Garcia said.
“However, it can happen. We lacked creativity today. Milan defended extremely well with five midfielders who played very close to each other.”
Hanke retires
Former Germany forward Mike Hanke has brought an end to his career at the age of 31, saying he has lost his appetite for the game.
Hanke was part of the Germany squad which finished third at the 2006 World Cup, but after a disappointing season with Freiburg last year he has spent the last six months playing in China.
He has received numerous offers from clubs in Germany’s second division but has decided instead to call it quits.
“I’ve been thinking about it for six weeks and realised that I’m not really missing football,” he said.
Silva hungry for more goals
Manchester City playmaker David Silva is hungry for more goals after filling a void for the champions by striking twice against Crystal Palace.
The Spaniard helped City overcome the absence of any recognised strikers by setting up a comfortable 3-0 Premier League win at the Etihad Stadium with a second-half double.
He said: “I have always said that I like to play in the middle and every time I play there I try to score goals, as when I play wide, but I prefer a central position.
“I was able to score two goals , so I am very happy.
“Without strikers we have to work a bit more on trying to score goals and we did that so hopefully we can continue like this.”
Win means more than goal – Suarez
Luis Suarez was delighted to score his first league goal for Barcelona, but claimed the victory was more important.
Suarez had scored twice in the Champions League but, before the 5-0 win over Cordoba on Saturday, the 27-year-old had yet to find the net in the Primera Liga following his move from Liverpool.
The Uruguayan did not make his debut until late October because of a four-month ban for biting, but had played seven matches without finding the net.
“I did break my duck but it was more important for the team to get the three points. Now we need to get some rest and start thinking about our next matches,” he said.
“I know I am a striker and I have to score goals, but I was sure that with my team-mates’ help I’d eventually get one.”
Klopp frustrated by Dortmund defeat
Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp feels his team were made to look like “total idiots” after their final Bundesliga fixture of 2014 ended in yet another defeat.
A 2-1 reverse at Werder Bremen could see Dortmund finish the year at the foot of the table, while a place in the bottom two is guaranteed.
“It was just a reflection of our whole season so far,” Klopp said. “We had a very poor first half.
“It follows suit that we are standing here like total idiots.”
Klopp’s side have shown two faces this season, marching into the last 16 of the Champions League while struggling to only 15 points in 17 Bundesliga games – just two more than they picked up in six European encounters.