Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard took a playful swipe at Chelsea's Jose Mourinho ahead of the Champions League first knockout round game between the sides by joking he was a close friend of the referee.
"The Norwegian referee is a close friend of mine. We speak to each other almost daily and when we can, we eat together," Rijkaard was quoted as saying in Catalan daily Sport this morning.
After last year's first leg game between the two sides in Barcelona, Mourinho complained that Rijkaard had gone to speak to Swedish referee Anders Frisk at halftime, implying he had tried to influence the referee.
Mourinho was charged with bringing the game into disrepute and both he and Chelsea were fined by Uefa. When asked about his relationship with Mourinho, Rijkaard replied: "His professional qualities are there for all to see. He has won more European titles recently than anyone.
"On a personal level I couldn't say. The relationship I have with the Norwegian official appointed for the game is better
than the one I have with the Chelsea coach. I have never had a tea or coffee with him."
Uefa have appointed Terje Hauge to officiate at tomorrow night's game. Barcelona won the home tie 2-1 last season before being knocked out by losing the second leg 4-2.
