Mourinho and Real Madrid let off the hook by UEFA

Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has been fined and banned from the touchline for one match after he was found guilty of improper conduct relating to incidents in Madrid’s Champions League clash with Ajax last month.

In that game, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos quite obviously incurred deliberate second yellow cards in order that they would miss the final group game in the competition, which is meaningless seeing as Real have already qualified as group winners.

Mourinho has actually been banned for two European matches, but the second game has been suspended for three years, while the club itself have been fined €120,000.

Mourinho has been let off extremely lightly, as he will only miss the meaningless clash with Auxerre, providing he does not breach UEFA rules within a ‘probationary period of three years’. He has also been given a cursory fine of €40,000.

Alonso and Ramos, who indulged in deliberate time wasting, were both fined €20,000, while ‘keeper Iker Casillas and reserve ‘keeper Jerzy Dudek were fined €10,000 and €5,000 respectively for seemingly passing on messages to Alonso and Ramos urging them to get sent off during the clash. The one game bans incurred by Alonso and Ramos for getting dismissed, which is what they had been aiming for in the first place, will also stand.

A UEFA's statement released today said: "Following the opening of disciplinary proceedings concerning the improper conduct of Real Madrid CF coach Jose Mourinho and players Xabi Alonso, Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas and Jerzy Dudek during the UEFA Champions League Group G game against AFC Ajax in Amsterdam on Tuesday 23 November, the UEFA control and disciplinary body dealt with the case today and decided the following:

"The Spanish club's coach Jose Mourinho has been suspended from coaching activities for two UEFA club competition matches, of which the second is deferred for a probationary period of three years. He was also fined 40,000 euros.

"Players Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos were fined 20,000 euros, Iker Casillas was fined 10,000 euros and Jerzy Dudek was fined 5,000 euros.

"The red cards given to Alonso and Ramos stand, and they have therefore been suspended for one UEFA club competition match.

"The control and disciplinary body has decided to fine Real Madrid CF 120,000 euros.

"An appeal may be lodged against the ruling within three days of the dispatch of the reasoning for the decision."