Federation out to discipline Mourinho for eye-poke

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho faces a potential suspension by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after the body opened a disciplinary inquiry into his Supercup fracas with Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova. Mourinho insisted last week he was not sorry for poking Vilanova in the eye in the final moments of their 3-2 loss, which gave Barca an overall 5-4 aggregate triumph. But after television images and press photos gave the incident widespread coverage, the Federation moved to act. Madrid insist that Mourinho was responding to a series of provocations and insults from the Barca bench after tensions boiled over at the Camp Nou. The RFEF's disciplinary committee said it had opened an inquiry against Mourinho for his behaviour which could breach two articles of the body's disciplinary code. If the committee finds against Mourinho he could be suspended for between four and 12 matches based on the first article and between four and ten on the basis of the second. He could additionally be fined if found to have engaged in "serious misconduct." Vilanova faces a four-match ban if he is found to have engaged in conduct deemed "contrary to good sporting order." Both men will now be given an opportunity to explain their actions. Barcelona striker David Villa and Madrid pair Mesut Ozil and Marcelo were additionally handed a one-match ban for their role in a brawl which marred the end of the Camp Nou encounter. Meanwhile, Barcelona's Javier Mascherano and Xavi and Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe, Sergio Ramos and Fabio Coentrao were warned as to their future conduct after they also joined the fray.