Barcelona angry as Jose Mourinho has touchline ban lifted

Barcelona have declared their anger that Jose Mourinho has had a two-match touchline ban lifted.

Mourinho was handed the suspension after poking then Barca assistant Tito Vilanova in the eye last season.

However, the ban was rescinded by football federation (RFEF) president Angel Maria Villar, who traditionally lifts some suspensions as a gesture after sealing re-election.

Barcelona spokesman Toni Freixa expressed the club's disappointment at Frexa's decision.

He said on Barca's website: "As we understand it, an aggression towards a coach deserves punishment. It's a bad example for Spanish football that this aggression is going unpunished.

"This decision does not mean the aggressor is innocent, but leads them to believe that they can continue to attack people without fear of punishment."

The amnesty also lifts bans handed out last season to Vilanova plus Real Madrid pair Mesut Ozil and Marcelo and Barca's David Villa.

The Spanish giants will meet in the traditional two-legged season curtain-raiser the Kings Cup next month.