Jose Mourinho has given his whole-hearted backing to Roy Hodgson over the Monkeygate saga which undermined the feelgood factor following England's World Cup qualification.
A dressing room leak suggested the England boss had used an old NASA joke about a money in space to illustrate a point at half time about the need to get the ball to Andros Townsend, and has been forced to defend himself against suggestions he was making a racist reference.
None of the players as has indicated that any offence was taken – or intended – and that is good enough for the Chelsea boss.
“The best judges are the players,” said Mourinho. “When the kid involved [Townsend] comes out and supports the manager, I think no story.
“The players are the best judges and were in the dressing room and they say it’s a non-story. He has my support because I don’t think he was wishing to hurt somebody. I’m not important – the players are important and it’s the end of the story."
The Blues' boss added: “That’s modern world. You tell your agent, father, girlfriend. Somebody tells somebody and it comes out. It looks like the words are correct but the meaning is completely innocent.”
