Mourinho defends Pardew over Meyler headbutt

By Chris Davie

Mar 7, 2014 6:46:00 PM

The Chelsea manager believes the Newcastle boss, who spoke to the Portuguese after the incident, realises his error, while Eden Hazard is fit to face Tottenham on Saturday

Jose Mourinho has defended Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew over his altercation with David Meyler.

The 52-year-old faces a lengthy ban from the Football Association for headbutting the Hull City midfielder during Newcastle’s 4-1 win at the KC Stadium last Saturday.

Pardew has accepted a misconduct charge from the FA and was also fined £100,000 by his club.

But Mourinho, whose own two-game suspension for poking Tito Vilanova in the eye during Real Madrid’s clash with Barcelona in August 2011 was subsequently overturned, believes the Newcastle boss realises his error and human nature "is open to mistakes".

"I spoke with Alan a couple of hours after the incident and he knows he made a mistake, and knows he has to pay for it,” said Mourinho.

"I prefer to stay with the good friend than the mistake.

"The problem is the human nature, and the human nature is open to mistakes. I made mistakes too. I paid for mistakes.

"In my case, the biggest punishment is you to recognise yourself you made a mistake, that you feel it - the self-blame.”

Mourinho also confirmed Eden Hazard, who suffered a minor ankle knock during Belgium’s friendly against Ivory Coast on Wednesday, is fit to face Tottenham on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Ashley Cole has been ruled out of the match after picking up an injury during training on Thursday. -------------- goal.com