Mourinho fined for spat as Inter extend Serie A lead

Inter Milan extended their lead at the top of Serie A to eight points following a 3-0 win over Cagliari at the San Siro as manager Jose Mourinho was hit with a €13,000 fine for a spat with an Italian journalist.

Goals from Pandev, Samuel and Milito were enough to see of the visitors on Sunday as Mourinho’s side continue on course for a fifth consecutive Serie A title.

Prior to Sunday’s victory Jose Mourinho, the Inter Milan head coach, was ordered to pay a hefty €13,000 fine to settle a disciplinary case over an altercation with a journalist.

Since taking over at Inter in 2008, the 47-year-old Portuguese has often complained about the intense grilling he receives from the Italian media. In addition to his fine, his employers were also ordered to pay €20,000 over his behaviour.

This incident, which took place following Inter’s 1-1 draw with Atalanta in Decemeber, is reported to have occurred after a journalist continued to stand by the Milan side’s team bus for months, despite Mourinho’s protests.

A statement on the Italian Football Federation website read: “The National Disciplinary Commission upheld the settlement request made by the coach’s and the club’s lawyers and ordered a fine of €13,000 and €20,000 respectively.”

Inter travel to Parma in midweek in Serie A ahead of a clash with Napoli next weekend.