Inter Milan have denied allegations that coach Jose Mourinho assaulted a fan after last night’s Champions League tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Greater Manchester Police are investigating a claim that a fan was punched by the former Chelsea manager shortly after Inter crashed out of the Champions League.
A statement from Inter read: “At the end of the game, the Portuguese tactician gave interviews to the European media, signed autographs, watched the penalties of the Roma v Arsenal game before saluting (Alex) Ferguson in his office.
“After giving the last interview to Inter Channel, he entered the team bus that was parked outside the dressing rooms and hence it was a very calm post-game experience.”
The allegation was one of common assault against Mourinho, with the claim that he punched a supporter close to the Inter team bus as the Italian side left the stadium.
GMP contacted United to request CCTV footage of the area and have confirmed a complaint has been made.
“Shortly before midnight last night a man reported that he had been punched in the face outside Old Trafford,” a police statement read. “We are investigating an allegation of common assault.”
United would only confirm they are aware of the allegation and are making no further comment.
The allegation came at the end of a bad night for Mourinho, who watched his team’s European campaign come to an end, with Nemanja Vidic and Cristiano Ronaldo grabbing United’s goals at the start of each half.
Although the former Chelsea manager was in jovial mood, shaking hands with Red Devils supporters as he made his way to the visitors’ dug-out before kick-off and after half-time and enjoyed a friendly post-match chat with Ferguson, he came under sustained attack from the Italian media for his failure to get Inter through.
“If anyone wishes to criticise my team, they will have to fight me,” he said at one point, those comments coming via an official interpreter.
Although he has taken Inter to the top of Serie A, his relationship with the local press is far from smooth, a fact that has only fuelled a belief that he could one day replace Ferguson at Old Trafford.
The plane taking the Inter party back to Milan left Manchester at 12.25am last night, once Mourinho had concluded his post-match obligations and enjoyed his meeting with Ferguson.
The fan who made the complaint is not from the Greater Manchester area and did not report any injuries to police or need treatment.
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