Jose Mourinho hit out at PSG after Chelsea winger Eden Hazard was fouled a record-breaking nine times in Tuesday’s Champions League clash.
The French champions struggled to contain the tricky Blues winger during the last-16 first-leg tie in which Edinson Cavani equalised after Branislav Ivanovic had opened the scoring for the visitors.
Hazard was fouled nine times at the Parc des Princes – more than any other player during a single Champions League match this season – with Marco Verratti the culprit on three occasions.
Mourinho has repeatedly admitted his concern about opponents targeting the playmaker and reiterated a plea for his greater protection at his post-match news conference.
“In England you like to bring up some other discussions, but this point is important because of what happened,” Mourinho told reporters.
“For example, what happened with Verratti. If (Hazard’s) another player, he dives, stays on the floor, rolls in the grass, screams. He’s asking for cards and cards and cards.
“This kid Hazard is pure. When he goes to the floor it is for a reason and there were nine fouls on him.”
‘Follow the rules’
Hazard, who last week signed a new five-and-a-half-year deal at Stamford Bridge, tops the Premier League as well as Champions League charts for most-fouled player and Mourinho recalled a crunching recent tackle on the forward from Stoke’s Phil Bardsley as he sought to make his point.
“In the Premier League it’s no different,” the Chelsea boss added. “For example at Stoke, which was an unbelievable situation, and this is what happens game after game.”
Asked how Hazard should be protected, Mourinho said: “Give cards to the opponents, follow the rules of the game. It’s as simple as that.”
SKYSPORTS
About the Author
