Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has accused Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho of "destroying Spanish football'' following an ill-tempered Supercopa at the Camp Nou.A late volley from Lionel Messi gave Barca a 3-2 victory (5-4 on aggregate) in a second-leg match that saw three players sent off, Cesc Fabregas hacked down on his debut and Mourinho involved in ugly scenes on the sidelines.
The Real coach has become a controversial figure in Spain, just as he was in England and Italy, and a bad-tempered run of five 'clasicos' last season, in which his side had four men sent off, continued in the traditional curtain-raiser to the Spanish season.
A brutal challenge from Marcelo saw the Real defender dismissed in the closing moments of the Supercopa, which was followed by a huge melee involving players, substitutes and staff from both sides, with Mesut Ozil and David Villa both shown red despite having already been substituted.
Mourinho, meanwhile, may come under scrutiny for his role in the fracas as he was pictured heading towards Barca coach Tito Vilanova and making contact with his face. Vilanova responded by pushing Mourinho, who walked away grinning.
After the game, a fuming Pique railed at Madrid's conduct. "I do not talk about the brawl. But it's a shame, it is not the first time and it's always the same," the Barca defender said.
"Someone has to take action on the matter. Mourinho is destroying Spanish football. There is talk about the Catalans, but the problem is with Madrid. I think it's going too far. It cannot always end well. In the end this will end very badly.''
Mourinho's opposite number Pep Guardiola did not wade into the issue but had a word of caution for those involved in the tense atmosphere on the pitch.
"The images speak for themselves,'' he said. "We must be careful, because one day we will cause harm, not on the field but off, and we're all a little responsible for this. ''
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