UEFA Champions League: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona—UNICEF Shrugs off Jose Mourinho

Mourinho's newest enemy: Children's non-profit UNICEF.
Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho's allegations that Barcelona were favoured by referees during their Champions League semifinal clash at the Santiago Bernabéu because of the Catalans' partnership with UNICEF has incensed the non-profit fund. 

The children's rights agency is in its final year of affiliation with the Spanish giants, but it didn't stop Mourinho from conspiring that their link was on the mind of referees on Wednesday night's game. 

Mourinho was quoted as saying: 

"I don't know if it is the Unicef sponsorship or if it is because they are nice guys. I don't understand," he said. "Congratulations to Barcelona on being a great team and congratulations for all the other stuff you have which must be very hard to achieve. They have power and we have no chance."

According to the same report, Barcelona have contacted their legal advisors on further steps to take regarding Mourinho's allegations. 

As for UNICEF, it has this to say: 

"I saw that," said their spokesperson, Marixie Mercado. "Essentially, it's a club matter, it's not something we would comment on."

Barcelona will no longer don the UNICEF label on their shirts next year while beginning a partnership with the Qatar Foundation. 

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