UEFA reduces Mou's touchline ban after hearing

A quick refresher - last April UEFA imposed a 5-match touchline ban on the Special One which stemmed from calling into question the officiating that took place during the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona (a match most of us would like to have erased from our memories).

The antics of both teams left a bad taste in my mouth, and Mourinho's as well which is why he received the ban.

Flash forward: Jose decided to appeal the ban (and who wouldn't?). We all know that it wouldn't be good for los blancos if he had to stay away from five Champion's league fixtures. Yesterday he spent six hours, yes - six friggin' hours - in front of a UEFA panel as part of the appeal process. During those six hours, the Special One kept his mouth shut, not saying one word.

Though in my mind, I can only imagine there was a bit of eye rolling going on.

UEFA announced that the touchline ban has been partially upheld (yay for going to the hearing). Here is the official release that come from the UEFA website.

"After hearing the parties and looking at various pieces of evidence, the appeals body decided to modify the sanction.

"The five-match ban, with the fifth game suspended for a probationary period of three years, is changed to a five-match ban, with the fourth and fifth fixtures suspended for a probationary period of three years. The €50,000 [£44,000] fine imposed on Mourinho stays."

So, lets break this down: It's now a three-match ban, of which he's already served one match during the second leg of that semi-final against Barcelona. So it boils down to a two-match ban during the Champions League. So for the first two fixtures in the group stage he will not be on the touchline.

This wasn't the only thing that came out of this hearing; UEFA also upheld the €20,000 [£17,600] fine imposed on Real Madrid for the actions of the fans during the April 27th fixture. This can be appealed, and UEFA has said if they were to do so, it needs to be done within the next 10 days.

I guess the sticking point with me is UEFA's fine against Real Madrid for their fans' conduct. Maybe it's the American in me, but really? Fine a club for something that is more or less out of their control? I would hope that RM will appeal that fine as I find it completely ludicrous.