Is There a 'Campaign' Against Chelsea or Just Jose Mourinho?
Chelsea Football Club are currently on radio silence.
Since the Football Association's controversial and expedited suspension of Diego Costa, the Blues have not given access to the media—seemingly installing a siege mentality in west London.
Irrespective of whether Jose Mourinho is justified in avoiding the media (not even allowing assistant Steve Holland to take control) what must be universally accepted is the Portuguese manager's lightning-rod status.
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By being a self-proclaimed "special one," calling Arsene Wenger a "voyeur," claiming his team were "a little horse" and more, since Mourinho's official introduction to the English media as Chelsea boss in 2004, he has often provided journalists with what they want: headline material.
His brash, straightforward nature creates an aura of arrogance, yet his players' unwavering devotion to him seems to counteract this notion of selfishness. The press, however, uses this external personality to write stories in accordance with their narrative.
When a Mourinho player falls dramatically in the 18-yard box, vehemently protests for bookings or hovers around the line separating aggression and malice—a link is established between player and manager, creating the pervading atmosphere of reckless gamesmanship.
Following his claim that there was a "campaign" against his team—as noted by BBC Sport—after a penalty decision was ignored in Chelsea's 1-1 draw at Southampton on 28 December, Mourinho was charged and fined by the FA, setting the tone of the current Blues blackout.
Mourinho rarely misspeaks, and he chose his words with care in the immediate post-game presser.
He never claimed Michael Oliver was biased or that the FA had ulterior motives, he simply suggested managers and pundits handle clubs outside of west London with kid gloves, whereas Chelsea get no such favours. This deluge of criticism affects matches, as referees cannot help but feel "pressure;" not the most outlandish thing Mourinho has suggested in his managerial career, but it has taken life all its own.
Is the Blues boss correct? Is there a campaign against his club?
In one word: No.
Chelsea's opponents have received six red cards this season, and the Blues are the eighth-most fouled Premier League team. In a sport decided on the smallest of margins, there is every right to feel the club has received the short end of the proverbial stick, but things tend to balance themselves out.
One can explain missed penalties and incorrect bookings away by horrid refereeing, which every club is subjected to in a 38-game season. Why, though, are Chelsea the team focused upon when players dive? Why are the actions of Costa vs. Liverpool treated differently than Sergio Aguero's "tangle with David Luiz," per the Metro, three seasons ago?
Inside the white lines of a football pitch, Chelsea are at the mercy of human error and/or brilliance—outside they are at the mercy of public opinion; the man who sets the tone for his club's perception, in this regard, is the manager.
While not against Chelsea Football Club the institution, there does seem to be some sort of campaign—and the target is Mourinho himself. Chelsea receive collateral damage from this battle, but they are not the main interest.
Consistently in the headmaster's office, Chelsea's boss has been fined over £50,000 in the past 20 months; England's FA has been tyrannically strict in its approach with Mourinho, and this stance is felt after games when things inevitably turn sour. If feeling personally judged on a separate standard, it stands to reason he feels Chelsea are as well.
One would be hard pressed to believe/prove referees are rejecting Chelsea's claims for penalties or bookings on orders, but when situations needing adjudication arrive (as in the case of Costa), there is every possibility governing bodies have vested interest in marshalling/corralling Mourinho's perceived wild-wild west London.
Normally unafraid to speak about faulty instances, possible grievances and/or misconduct from other parties, Mourinho creates headaches for those trying to keep the game's reputation clean. If managers expound on every wrong call and discuss ad nauseam every mistake by an official, the game's integrity comes into question.
No doubt wishing to quell such talk, the FA has taken hard-line stances with anyone willing to openly criticise refereeing mistakes.
Mourinho's side have found themselves on the wrong end of a few calls this season, and to defend his club's performance, he lifts his head above the parapet and deflects attention onto the governing bodies. It is why his players are willing to "kill" for him and the FA continually raid his wallet after critical comments.
Ironically, the same people who live from Mourinho's quotes have contributed to the campaign—biting the hand that feeds, in a sense. The Portuguese's current silent treatment works in his favour in more than one way: Firstly the FA cannot charge him with saying nothing, and secondly he is showing the press that life without him is rather placid.
Having a five-point gap atop the Premier League, a place in the Capital One Cup final and a matchup with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League's round of 16 on 17 February, Chelsea's season has not been totaled by some foreign conspiracy: The Blues' three losses this season—to Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Bradford City—were nowhere near contentious.
What is not hidden (rather clearly apparent) is the FA's disdain for recalcitrant individuals who question authority, even when their criticisms are valid—the Chelsea boss has incessantly bemoaned England's officials since he resurfaced two summers ago.
In an interview with BBC Sport's Dan Roan, Mourinho's agent, Jorge Mendes, said: "[Jose] will be the Sir Alex Ferguson of Chelsea Football Club. He loves the supporters, he loves the city and I think he will stay there for more than 10 years."
Should Mourinho's agent be correct, the perceived campaign against Chelsea will not end this season or next; it will last until either of three things transpire: Either Mourinho leaves, he changes his personality and becomes introverted/docile, or the FA allows managers to discuss decisions with relative impunity.
As none of those options seem plausible—given history and general sense—you might as well prepare some popcorn, because this relationship is stopping no time soon.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase.com where not noted.
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