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Jose Mourinho threatened to walk out of his post-match press conference after being asked about Branislav Ivanovic’s alleged bite on James McCarthy during Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Everton.
Tempers flared shortly before Willian’s deflected injury time winner when Gareth Barry was sent off for a second bookable offence for a cynical foul on the Brazilian.
During that same incident, Ivanovic and McCarthy appeared to come together in the melee. Ivanovic seemed to grab McCarthy in a headlock before he moved his head to the left shoulder of the midfielder and attempted to either bite or headbutt the Scot.
The Serbian escaped punishment from referee Jonathan Moss on the night but could face retrospective action in the form of a ban for violent conduct.
Members of the press were kept waiting more than usual at the post-match press conference as Mourinho spoke with BT Sport. Questions had been put to him about the incident by Ray Stubbs but the Portuguese manager repeated twice: “Don’t make me laugh.”
He eventually emerged in the press lounge at Stamford Bridge and was initially asked about the incident involving Ivanovic. Mourinho said that “football is emotion and emotion is what we had here today”.
He was then asked by another journalist whether the Serbian international should face retrospective action for his behaviour.
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The self-styled Special One turned to head of communications Steve Atkins before adding: “I am concerned with my reaction because one more question [about the incident] and I leave. I am more concerned with my reaction because the next question for that story [and] I go.”
Former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman, who working as a pundit for BT Sport, said that the FA will have to decide whether to take action against the defender.
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“I don’t think it was worth a red card,” said McManaman. “Jon Moss the referee didn’t see the incident - it’s up to the law makers now.”
