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Absent Mourinho vows to be 'responsible'

Cobham

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will miss the trip to Stoke City on Saturday but has still promised to take "responsibility" for the Premier League champions when they are at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

The Portuguese was punished for his behaviour towards officials at half-time of Chelsea's 2-1 defeat by West Ham, but has already adapted by giving his staff detailed plans for the Stoke game.

Asked why he would not appeal against the ban, Mourinho again implied on Friday that he is suffering from double standards, and said that being given a stadium ban for language -- as opposed to aggressive behaviour -- sets a precedent for more such punishments.

"If after 10 minutes we are playing with seven men, it's something I didn't prepare my assistants for. They'd have to decide themselves.

"You're right: the game is unpredictable, we don't know the direction in many aspects, but we try to reduce. That we did. The most incredible scenarios you can imagine (we have envisaged).

"Let's go to extremes: at half-time winning or losing 4-0," he explained. "In between this, you have 1,000 options: be dominating and controlling the game; being dominated and not controlling the game; having problems with this or that area; injuries or red cards of the goalkeeper, the right-back, the centre-back, the striker, the winger.

"We went through all these different scenarios. They are prepared. Also, what is important is for them to feel protected by the fact that it's my responsibility.

"It's just for the players to play, and for the assistants to be with them and supportive with them."

He added: "I know the situation where I am in relation to the football power in this country, and I have to adapt. I have to adapt to it."

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Boxer Amir Khan to watch ISL

The Goan Network
Published Nov 3, 2015, 12:00 AM IST
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AGENCIESNew DelhiTop British professional boxer Amir Khan, who is currently in India, will be watching the Indian Super League (ISL) contest between Delhi Dynamos and NorthEast United at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Tuesday."I am going to watch the ISL match tomorrow. I am a big follower of football and I have heard there is a great amount of talent in India so I am going to witness some tomorrow. I am eager to see some action," Amir, who is of Pakistani origin, said…

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