The FA "will not take disciplinary action" against either Arsenal Manager Arsène Wenger or Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho after their feud descended into an "ugly on-field confrontation," according to Jeremy Wilson of the London TELEGRAPH. Wenger "was the aggressor during Arsenal's defeat at Chelsea, pushing Mourinho in the chest, although he subsequently claimed that he had been provoked as he was interrupted while trying to walk down the touchline to check on the welfare of Alexis Sanchez." Referee Martin Atkinson then "came to the touchline to hear what had happened and opted to bring the two managers together to warn them that any continuation of the problem would see them both sent off." The FA’s attitude, then, is that "the incident was fully dealt with by the match officials and that they will not be following it up." Wenger refused to apologize, described his push as "little" and said that "he has no regrets." Mourinho said that "he wants to move on." Mourinho: "Story over. No problem. No outstanding issues" (TELEGRAPH, 10/6).
ROONEY RULE: The London INDEPENDENT reported Professional Footballers' Association CEO Gordon Taylor claimed "there is a hidden racism which holds clubs back" with the appointment of black and ethnic minority managers. Only two out of 92 clubs in English football's top four divisions "employ a black manager." Taylor this week "called for English football to adopt the Rooney Rule." The Rooney Rule is used in the NFL "to ensure ethnic minority candidates are adequately represented in the interview process for head coaching positions." When asked if he felt football was doing enough to bring in black managers and whether he felt a quota should happen, Mourinho said, "There is no racism in football. If you are good, you are good. If you are good, you get the job. ... Football is not stupid to close the doors to top people" (INDEPENDENT, 10/3).
