Mourinho puts Man Utd on the spot over penalty decisions

AFP - 22 April 2007 15:52

Manchester United´s Alan Smith (R) vies for the ball with Middlesbrough´s Andrew Davies during their Premiership match at Old Trafford on 21 April 2007. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho took a cheeky swipe at title rivals Manchester United by claiming it is

LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho took a cheeky swipe at title rivals Manchester United by claiming it is "forbidden" to give penalties against the Premiership leaders.

Middlesbrough were denied a certain penalty in the closing stages of their 1-1 draw at United on Saturday when John O'Shea mistimed a tackle on South Korean striker Lee Dong-Gook.

Just five days earlier, Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock was furious when no penalty was given after Luton Shelton was brought down by Gabriel Heinze in the area during his side's 2-0 defeat.

Mourinho claimed those decisions had effectively given United extra points and he told Sky Sports News: "Sometimes, when you watch the last two Manchester United matches, we are a little bit afraid because it looks like there is a rule in football that it is forbidden to give a penalty against Manchester United.

"At the moment we should be three points behind them and instead we are four (points behind)."