Mourinho: Don't hurt Porto

Jose Mourinho has written a personal letter to UEFA chiefs begging them not to punish his old club Porto.

European football's governing body said today it would be taking action against the Portuguese club after one of their fans spat at the Chelsea coach before his side's 3-1 triumph at Stamford Bridge last night.

Mourinho shrugged off the incident but the official UEFA match delegate highlighted the spitting after it was reported by referee Herbert Fandel.

However, Mourinho this afternoon faxed a letter to UEFA chief executive Lars Christer Olsson appealing for the organisation's disciplinary committee to be lenient.

He pointed out the "exemplary" behaviour of Porto's fans on their European travels in the past and said the club's good reputation should not be tarnished by the actions of one or two individuals.

Mourinho's diplomatic move is designed to take the sting out of the club's return Champions League Group H trip to his former club on 7 December.

A UEFA spokesman said: "It is mentioned in the referees report so we will open a disciplinary case against Porto.

"Usually it is the home team that has to control the fans, but teams can be fined for the behaviour of their fans in away games. The punishment will probably be a fine."

The fan who spat at Mourinho was ejected from the ground and hosts Chelsea are not expected to face any repercussions.

Mourinho, who guided Porto to European Cup triumph last season, said: "I can understand it. Some people love me, and others don't love me that much. That's just life."