Chelsea & Barca told to play fair

Mourinho and his counterpart Rijkaard have clashed repeatedly

Chelsea and Barcelona have been told Uefa will closely watch their behaviour during Tuesday's Champions League second leg tie at the Nou Camp.

Lennart Johansson, the president of the governing body, said: "Both sides are aware they are being observed and they know what expectations we have of them.

"I'm quite glad to say I found out that there is a feeling of responsibility towards the public from both sides."

Barca fans spat at Chelsea staff as the Blues arrived in the city on Sunday.

The hostility towards Chelsea started last year when manager Jose Mourinho accused Barcelona counterpart Frank Rijkaard of influencing the referee during the first leg of the two teams' encounter.

Chelsea eventually won that tie over two legs.

On Tuesday they must try to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg, which saw Asier Del Horno sent off for a challenge on Barca's Lionel Messi, who was then accused of "acting" by Mourinho.

Not everyone in the world likes Mourinho but he deserves respect Didier Drogba

The Chelsea manager has been at the centre of controversy ever since, with local newspapers in Barcelona dubbing him "a monster".

Johansson said: "I hope to see a match that pleases the spectators. I hope there will be fair play, no signs of racism and that the weather conditions and the pitch will be all right."

The Uefa president refused to make any criticism of Chelsea.

"The way they have tried to make arrangements with players and the squad they have now is excellent.

"And again their coach is one of the best we have in Europe.

"I cannot be very critical with Chelsea or anyone else. Tell me a coach who has not made a statement at some time that he should not have done.

"He (Mourinho) has learned, and everyone has learned, that is does not pay to misbehave."

Earlier on Tuesday Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho brushed aside the furore surrounding his manager.

On Tuesday I will go to the pitch before the game and try to take the good feeling of the crowd Jose Mourinho

"It's more difficult for him, because he is the one having the problems going through the airport. The players don't have so many problems."

And Chelsea striker Didier Drogba told The Sun newspaper: "Not everyone in the world likes Mourinho but he deserves respect.

"He is the greatest. There is no other coach that I would want in this situation. With all due respect to Barca I'm convinced we will come back."

On Monday, Mourinho insisted he did not have a problem with being a figure of hate amongst Barcelona fans.

"I'm the first to leave the airport, I know what I am doing. After that the players don't have anything.

"It was the same at the hotel. I left two or three minutes before and the guys follow me so it's easy for them."

Mourinho added: "On Tuesday I will go to the pitch before the game and try to take the good feeling of the crowd.

"But I can't do anything once the referee starts the game. It's up to the players, but we have players with some experience and they can handle the situation."

Meanwhile Barca boss Rijkaard condemned the hostile reception that the Chelsea boss, who used to be on the coaching staff at Barca, received.

"I felt very bad about what happened," said the Dutchman.

"I think we now have a fantastic opportunity to show we have respect for Chelsea and we should applaud them when they step on to the pitch.

We respect Mourinho for what he has done, he knows what he is doing and how to do it Barcelona vice president Ferran Soriano

"Mourinho has achieved a great deal in his career, he is one of the best coaches in the world and he has a past with Barcelona.

"I want our fans to cheer him because he is a great coach."

And Barcelona vice president Ferran Soriano has played down the rivalry between the two clubs.

"The relationship between Chelsea and Barcelona at an institutional level, at a business level, is perfect," Soriano told BBC Radio Five Live.

"Regarding the coaches, I think Frank has always been very calm and very polite and has tried not to create unneccessary excitement.

"But each coach has his own way of doing things - we respect Mourinho for what he has done, he knows what he is doing and how to do it.

"There were some people shouting at him but it's a small thing."