Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes that Ramires should not have been sent off during tonight's titanic battle with Bayern Munich in the UEFA Super Cup.
Ramires received his marching orders in the 85th minute for a challenge with studs showing on Mario Gotze, which prompted the referee to produce a second yellow card.
Mourinho thinks that the Brazilian midfielder deserved the benefit of the doubt, questioning whether the official loves football by not allowing the match to stay at 11-a-side, despite the reckless nature of the tackle.
He told ITV Sport: "I prefer to say no, even if you say yes. Because for me rules are rules but there is a very important rule which is common sense, passion for the game.
"The referee has to analyse the danger of the situation and consequence for football. When the referee takes a decision like this I am not sure he loves football."
Chelsea claimed the lead in extra time despite their numerical disadvantage through Eden Hazard, but a last-gasp equaliser by Javi Martinez took the match to a shootout which Bayern eventually edged.
Liam Power
