Jose Mourinho says Ramires is a “lucky guy” to get just a four-game ban after the Chelsea midfielder accepted an FA charge of violent conduct following a clash with Sebastian Larsson.
The Brazil international evaded a tackle from Sunderland captain Lee Cattermole before Larsson attempted to catch the Blues midfielder, with Ramires lashing out and catching the former Arsenal midfielder in the face.
He is a lucky guy. We accept the charge because we are happy with it
Jose Mourinho
Referee Mike Dean, who Mourinho praised for an unbelievable performance after a late penalty helped Sunderland win 2-1 at Stamford Bridge last weekend, failed to spot the incident but it was caught on camera,
Ramires opted to accept his four-game punishment from the FA on Thursday and the 27-year-old will miss rest of the season, although he is free to play in next week’s Champions League semi-final second-leg against Atletico Madrid.
When asked about the ban, Mourinho initially replied “no comment” before the Chelsea manager went on to analyse the sequence of events which led to Ramires striking Larsson.
“He [Ramires] is a lucky guy,” Mourinho said.
“He is a lucky guy because in one minute, or less than a minute – in a few seconds, he was lucky Cattermole didn’t break his leg, lucky Larsson didn’t break his Achilles from behind, and he is lucky he only got a four-game suspension.
“He is a lucky guy. We accept the charge because we are happy with it.”
Chelsea face leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday knowing a defeat will end their hopes of winning the Premier League title.