Uefa rejects Mourinho phone link

Chelsea 4-2 Bayern Champions League photos Bayern match reaction

Uefa will not investigate claims that Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was in contact with fitness coach Rui Faria during the 4-2 win over Bayern Munich.

Mourinho was not allowed to speak to his players or staff during the game because of a touchline ban.

But television pictures appeared to show Faria holding a hand to his ear and passing on notes.

Yet Uefa spokesman Frits Ahlstrom said: "Uefa has nothing to report about any incidents of any kind."

Ahlstrom continued with reference to an earlier claim by Chelsea: "The club statement is correct."

Chelsea director of communications Simon Greenberg had said at the post-match media conference: "Chelsea have been informed by Uefa in the post-match debrief that no incidents during the game have been reported by Uefa representatives on any matter."

Greenberg accompanied Mourinho's right-hand man Baltemar Brito to the conference after the 4-2 first-leg victory.

Brito, who along with fellow coach Steve Clarke sat in the row in front of Faria during the match, denied there had been any contact with Mourinho.

"There was not contact at all," said Brito.

"We prepared for this game last week and the last time I saw him was two or three hours before kick-off.

"I have not spoken to him or seen him since. It was quite tough without him on the bench. His presence is very important for us and he was sorely missed."

Mourinho opted not to go to the stadium once Uefa made it clear he could make no contact with the team, as punishment for accusing Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard of meeting referee Anders Frisk at half-time in an earlier tie.

We're only at half-time and we saw what Bayern did to Arsenal Frank Lampard

He watched on television at an undisclosed location - with reports claiming he was at a nearby health club.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard felt Mourinho's absence had little bearing on the game.

"The build up was very normal," he added. "Jose said we had to go out and do our stuff and the staff got us fully motivated.

"Bayern were very strong, well organised and they have some world-class players.

"We're only at half-time and we saw what Bayern did to Arsenal and if we go there with the wrong attitude they will punish it."

And Lampard added he felt Chelsea let Bayern off the hook by conceding a late penalty when Michael Ballack went down in the area.

"We're a little bit disappointed. We've switched off and they have scored late on," said the two-goal midfielder after Wednesday's 4-2 Champions League win.

"He went down theatrically but I didn't see whether it was a foul.

"We're in a good position where we're confident we can score goals anywhere in Europe and our defence is good but the game is by no means over."