Jose Mourinho is fuming over the red card shown to Chelsea defender Asier Del Horno. In his post-match interview following the 2-1 Champions League home defeat to FC Barcelona Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho verbally atttacked Lionel Messi of play-acting to get Del Horno sent off. What millions of viewers on TV saw (unless they were Chelsea supporters), was obviously contrary to Mourinho´s point of view.

The furious Blues boss insisted:

"I think it is of course not a red card, the kid is not just a very good player, he is more than that. He jumps and provokes contact with Del Horno and because of that the referee gives him the red card.”

Mourinho already accused FC Barcelona's of having a culture of diving in the build-up to the game and he continued his war of words with the spanish media:

"Can Messi be suspended for acting? Barcelona is a very cultural city. You know all about theatre. You have theatres of high quality.I was living there many years and I went to theatres, I know what I am saying, Catalonia has the best theatres and actors, I'm telling you, I met some of them in Barcelona"

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard defended Lionel Messi after he was accused of play-acting by Chelsea´s Jose Mourinho. Barça boss Rijkaard insisted that striker Leo Messi, 18, did not try to con Norwegian referee Terje Hague:

"I see fouls on Messi all the time and he is not a player to overreact. I don't have to comment on what my colleagues say. Every manager has a right to say what he thinks about any situation. I prefer to do my job. The referee didn't give the first foul. At the second he gave a red card.”