EPL: Mourinho: Take Care Of Football

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he is concerned for the credibility of English football

Jose Mourinho believes the credibility of English football is at stake if decisions like the one which saw Nemanja Matic banned and Ashley Barnes escape punishment recur.

Blues midfielder Matic will miss Sunday's Capital One Cup final with Tottenham after his sending off in last weekend's Premier League clash with Burnley, when he took exception to a challenge by Barnes which Mourinho later called "criminal".

Press Association reports:

Mourinho has spoken of a "clear campaign" against his Chelsea side this season and thinks the fact Matic was banned by the Football Association but that Barnes can play on undermines English football's long-standing fair-play status.

"We must take care of our football," Mourinho said.

"It's not about how many millions are watching on television. It's about the feeling and respect and credibility, what people think about it.

"Strong credibility. This is something English football cannot lose.

"You lose credibility when a player like Matic is suspended, and another player can play this weekend.

"I don't think you can have any doubt that all around the world people open their mouths with surprise at how this can be possible."

Mourinho hopes Sunday's final is not affected by controversy after struggling with the accumulation of perceived errors against his side.

"It's easy to cope with a mistake," the Blues boss added. "It's not easy to cope with lots of mistakes. It's not easy. We try. Hopefully the final is a good final."

Mourinho has twice won the League Cup with Chelsea, but is bidding for a first trophy of his second spell in charge on Sunday.

The two-time Champions League winner, who has won the domestic championships in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain, said: "This cup final is the most important cup final of my career. More important than the Champions League. More important than the other cups I've played before.