MADRID, Aug 23 (AP): Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho could be suspended up to 12 games for his altercation with Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova during a Spanish Supercup game-ending brawl.
The Spanish football federation opened disciplinary proceedings against the Spanish clubs today, six days after Barcelona won the trophy in a match marred by the finale.
Mourinho walked toward Vilanova and appeared to poke him in the eye during the onfield melee between both benches.
Under rules 98 and 100 of the federation disciplinary code, the Portuguese coach could be banned between four to 12 games while Vilanova whose actions are being investigated under articles 111 and 122 could be sanctioned for four games after retaliating with a push.
Mourinho apologised today to Madrid fans for his actions.
�(I) wish to apologise to Madridistas, and only to them, for my attitude in our last game,� Mourinho said in a statement posted on Madrid�s website.
�Some people are better adapted to the hypocrisy in football than I am, and they hide their faces and speak in whispers deep inside tunnels.
�I�m not learning to be a hypocrite, and I don�t want to.�
The altercation came when both benches cleared onto the field following Madrid defender Marcelo�s ugly challenge on Cesc Fabregas just before injury time.