Jose hits out at Barca 'diver'

Jose Mourinho said he is not a fan of diving whilst hitting out at Barca's Victor Valdes.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has insisted he is not a fan of diving whilst hitting out at Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes on the eve of the UEFA Champions League showdown between the sides.

Blues winger Arjen Robben was the subject of fierce criticism after the dismissal of Liverpool keeper Jose Reina in a 2-0 win for the London side earlier this month.

However Mourinho has attempted to deflect to the focus away from his side - highlighting the controversy sparked by Didier Drogba's red card in last season's meeting with Liga giants Barca.

The Portuguese tactician was infuriated by what he perceived to be play-acting from Valdes, and comments he made at the time preceeded the much-debated retirement of referee Anders Frisk.

After questions from former mentor Sir Bobby Robson over Robben's conduct, Mourinho has now chosen the eve of the highly-anticipated European tie with Frank Rijkaard's men to target Valdes.

"Bobby asked me how I would feel if a player of mine was sent off because of an exaggerated reaction to a foul by an opponent," said Mourinho.

"My answer is simple. I already felt it - last season when Drogba was sent off in Barcelona because of Valdes' play-acting.

"But there was a big difference between these two cases.

"In the Chelsea v Liverpool game there were only five minutes left and the game was already won.

"In the Barcelona v Chelsea match there were 40 minutes to go and every goal could be crucial to decide a tie which was extremely finely balanced.

"Let it be clear: I don't like dives or divers, nor do I like winning or losing because of refereeing mistakes.

"But I also don't like fairy-tale discussions."

To further stoke the fires ahead of Wednesday's tie at Stamford Bridge, Blues' Spanish left-back Asier Del Horno has criticised Barca striker Samuel Eto'o for spitting in a Liga tie.

The Cameroon international was apparently caught on camera spitting at Athletic Bilbao star Unai Exposito in January, and Del Horno has sided with his former side's midfielder.

"I don't know what went through his head," Del Horno told The Sun.

"These things shouldn't happen because they are ugly for football.

"It leaves you quite sad because football is a sport and should be treated like that. This is really very unpleasant.

"Samuel Eto'o is a great player but as a person I believe he is a fraud."