Jose Mourinho has hit back at criticism of Mario Balotelli after he won a contested penalty against Roma.
Coach hits back at criticism of teenage striker
Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho has hit back at criticism of Mario Balotelli after the teenage striker won a contested penalty in Sunday's 3-3 draw with Roma.
The 18-year-old scored a brace as the Serie A leaders came back from 3-1 down to earn a valuable point as they seek to retain their title.
He got his second when converting a penalty after going down in the area, but Roma coach Luciano Spalletti and midfielder Daniele De Rossi both said afterwards that Balotelli had dived, while Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri then sided with the pair on a television show.
Intellectual prostitution
But Mourinho has hit back, saying on Tuesday: "I don't like intellectual prostitution. I like intellectual honesty.
"There has been great intellectual manipulation over the last few days. A great job has been done to manipulate public opinion.
"Over the last two days we have not talked about a Roma side with great players, lots of players I wanted to have with me, that will finish the season with zero titles.
"We have not talked about Milan, who will finish the season with zero titles. We have not talked about Juventus, who have won lots of points with refereeing mistakes.
"You cannot say it was not a penalty, you can say there is a doubt."
Swift response
Mourinho's comments sparked a swift response from Juventus, who said on the club's
official website: "Juventus expresses shock and indignation and asks Inter to disassociate itself publicly from these comments.
"With his statements Inter's coach lacked respect not only to Juventus and its 14 million fans, but (also) to the whole of Italian soccer."
But the Serie A champions backed their coach, adding in a statement: "Jose Mourinho responded in a clear, explicit way to an attack of the same level.
"Our coach expressed his ideas, without insinuations, without malice, according to his style, which is much appreciated by the club."
Mourinho will now learn on Thursday if he will be punished for his comments, along with Balotelli and De Rossi.
The Italian football federation said in a statement on Wednesday: "Following an investigation by the federal prosecutor, action over the behaviour and declarations of Balotelli, De Rossi and Mourinho will be announced tomorrow."
