Jose Mourinho is facing potential legal action launched by Everton and Andrew Johnson's representatives BaseSoccer unless the Chelsea manager retracts his assertion the England striker is a serial diver.
Everton will write to the English FA this morning complaining at Mourinho's post-match observations after Chelsea's 3-2 victory at Goodison Park on Sunday but have also consulted their lawyers in the belief the implication that Johnson cheated was "quite possibly defamatory". They insist the suggestions damage the long-term value of a player who cost a club-record £8.6 million from Crystal Palace in the summer.
Mourinho had to be restrained by the fourth official 18 minutes into the game after Johnson tumbled over the Chelsea goalkeeper Hilario.
The Chelsea manager had called for the striker to be booked and reacted post-match by suggesting Johnson was "dangerous" to opponents because of the way he "chased penalties".
"I think the player was embarrassed and, because he was embarrassed, after that he behaved and played a good game like the great player he is," Mourinho said in radio interviews.
Everton are seeking an apology, or sanction from the FA, and believe Mourinho's assertions went further than criticisms voiced this season by Arsene Wenger and Neil Warnock, which have handed Johnson a reputation for tumbling too easily.
"To publicly question the integrity of a player of Andrew's professionalism and honesty is not only wholly unacceptable and quite possibly defamatory but also, in our opinion, highly damaging for both club and player," read a statement issued by Everton and BaseSoccer. "We would urge the footballing authorities to look closely at Mr Mourinho's comments and then, perhaps, seek a formal explanation."
Mourinho's taunting of Manchester United over the destination of the championship will fall on deaf ears at Old Trafford, according to Michael Carrick.
Chelsea's manager, whose team are now only two points behind United at the top of the Premiership, had already started to aim verbal jibes in the direction of Old Trafford before United lost at West Ham on Sunday just hours after Chelsea had twice fought back from behind to win at Everton.
But Carrick, United's £18.6 million England midfielder, says Alex Ferguson's team will pay no heed to Mourinho's words as they attempt to remain on top.
"As a team so far this season, we have done really well and nothing is going to change our mindset," he said. "So we don't really take too much notice of what is said. We just put everything else to the back of our mind and wait to see where it takes us at the end of the season."
Mourinho has attempted to put pressure on United by boasting their meeting at Stamford Bridge in April is as good as three points in the bag for Chelsea. Ferguson's team have lost on their last two visits there, but Carrick says his team-mates have no fears about taking on the champions in their stadium in a possible title decider.
He said: "We are two terrific teams and great squads, so it's going to be tight all the way to the game at Chelsea. Hopefully we can have it tied up by then, but that's probably going to be too good to be true.
"From the start of the season there was a belief throughout the squad that we could win things . . . And the belief has gone from strength to strength."
Today's Fixtures
(7.45 unless stated)
ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP:Quarter-finals: Charlton v Wycombe (8.0); Liverpool v Arsenal.
ENGLISH LEAGUE:One: Northampton v Leyton Orient; Tranmere v Crewe.
SCOTTISH LEAGUE:Third Division: East Stirling v Berwick (7.30).
IRISH LEAGUE:Premier Division: Linfield v Distillery (7.30).
