Diver Gudjohnsen
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Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has slated his former striker Eidur Gudjohnsen ahead of tonight's Champions clash at Barcelona.
He claimed Gudjohnsen has learnt to cheat since moving to Barca last summer and was scathing about the way he won a penalty last weekend. Mourinho said: "I know the number of penalties Barca have at home. I know times they play against 10 players.
"And it's a bit surprising because Eidur played in English football all his life and three months later he gets that penalty. It's the Spanish competition.
"It's a praise to English football because in English football players are not allowed to do that. It's a praise to the English Press because if the players do that in England the Press kill them."
Gudjohnsen was accused of diving to win a penalty against Recreativo Huelva last weekend.
But Barca boss Frank Rijkaard retaliated angrily to the criticism. He said: "I don't care what Mourinho says. It's a poor man's mind that says such things.
"Only the losers complain about a result and we are working honestly. Barca don't have to cheat to win games."
Mourinho also called for Italian referee Stefano Farina to keep control of the spectacle.
He said: "My desire is that all the teams on the pitch want to be the best - Barcelona, Chelsea and Mr Farina and his assistants. That's my dream.
"If that happens the game will be fantastic and I think we all have a big responsibility because people around the world want to see the game."
Lionel Messi, the player Mourinho accused of play-acting last season, refused to be drawn on the diving controversy.
But he admitted: "I will do what I have to win games."
He claimed Gudjohnsen has learnt to cheat since moving to Barca last summer and was scathing about the way he won a penalty last weekend. Mourinho said: "I know the number of penalties Barca have at home. I know times they play against 10 players.
"And it's a bit surprising because Eidur played in English football all his life and three months later he gets that penalty. It's the Spanish competition.
"It's a praise to English football because in English football players are not allowed to do that. It's a praise to the English Press because if the players do that in England the Press kill them."
Gudjohnsen was accused of diving to win a penalty against Recreativo Huelva last weekend.
But Barca boss Frank Rijkaard retaliated angrily to the criticism. He said: "I don't care what Mourinho says. It's a poor man's mind that says such things.
"Only the losers complain about a result and we are working honestly. Barca don't have to cheat to win games."
Mourinho also called for Italian referee Stefano Farina to keep control of the spectacle.
He said: "My desire is that all the teams on the pitch want to be the best - Barcelona, Chelsea and Mr Farina and his assistants. That's my dream.
"If that happens the game will be fantastic and I think we all have a big responsibility because people around the world want to see the game."
Lionel Messi, the player Mourinho accused of play-acting last season, refused to be drawn on the diving controversy.
But he admitted: "I will do what I have to win games."
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