Jose Mourinho takes swipe at former Chelsea star Graeme Le Saux ahead of Champions League

Jose Mourinho has had a dig at Graeme Le Saux for refusing to travel with Chelsea to Israel in 2001

JOSE MOURINHO has taken a swipe at former Chelsea star Graeme Le Saux - who refused to play in Israel after 9/11.

 

Former Blues defender Le Saux, plus fellow stars William Gallas, Marcel Desailly, Albert Ferrer, Emmanuel Pettit and Eidur Gudjohnsen all refused to travel for the Uefa Cup clash with Hapoel Tel Aviv in October 2001 – just a month after the attack on the Twin Towers. 

Manager Claudio Raniero was forced to play a weakened side in the Uefa Cup tie against Hapoel, and lost 2-0.

 

Mourinho today said none of his players had refused to travel to Israel for tomorrow’s Champions League clash Maccabi Tel Aviv in Haifa.

Le Saux, now a member of the FA’s Inclusion and Advisory Board, accused Mourinho of setting football back 30 years for his treatment of doctor Eva Carneiro - who left the club last month.

 

Mourinho said: “The best way is to focus on football and the happiness you have to play football. Leave security questions to people who know more than we do. 

“I didn't have a single problem within the squad. I didn't have a Graeme Le Saux. I had everybody without fears, just wanting to come. I had even a player who, whose wife maybe is going to have a baby tomorrow or the next day but he's here, focusing on what he can do for us.”