Jose
Mourinho hit out at PSG after Chelsea winger Eden Hazard was fouled a
record-breaking nine times in Tuesday's Champions League clash.
The French champions struggled to contain the tricky Blues winger during the
last-16 first-leg tie in which Edinson Cavani equalised after Branislav
Ivanovic had opened the scoring for the visitors.
Hazard was fouled nine times at the Parc des Princes - more than any other
player during a single Champions League match this season - with Marco
Verratti the culprit on three occasions.
Mourinho has repeatedly admitted his concern about opponents targeting the
playmaker and reiterated a plea for his greater protection at his post-match
news conference.
"In England you like to bring up some other discussions, but this point is
important because of what happened," Mourinho told reporters.
"For example, what happened with Verratti. If (Hazard's) another player, he
dives, stays on the floor, rolls in the grass, screams. He's asking for
cards and cards and cards.
"This kid Hazard is pure. When he goes to the floor it is for a reason and
there were nine fouls on him."
'Follow the rules'
Hazard, who last week signed a new five-and-a-half-year deal at Stamford
Bridge, tops the Premier League as well as Champions League charts for
most-fouled player and Mourinho recalled a crunching recent tackle on the
forward from Stoke's Phil Bardsley as he sought to make his point.
"In the Premier League it's no different," the Chelsea boss added. "For
example at Stoke, which was an unbelievable situation, and this is what
happens game after game."
Asked how Hazard should be protected, Mourinho said: "Give cards to the
opponents, follow the rules of the game. It's as simple as that."
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