Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will not face the press on Friday after being charged with misconduct by the Football Association.
Mourinho was due to face the media to preview the Premier League clash with Newcastle, but the Blues announced that assistant Steve Holland would take his place shortly after the Portuguese was charged for comments made about match officials following last month's clash with Southampton.
Mourinho claimed there was a "clear campaign" against the club following the 1-1 draw, alleging it was being orchestrated by "people, pundits, commentators and coaches from other teams" and branding the booking of Cesc Fabregas for diving at St Mary's on Dec. 28 a "scandal."
Good morning. Steve Holland will be speaking to the media at approximately 12.30pm (UK time) today... #CFC pic.twitter.com/lYNyuQrSn5
- Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 9, 2015
"It is alleged his remarks constitute improper conduct in that they allege and/or imply bias on the part of a referee or referees and/or bring the game into disrepute," a statement issued by the FA read.
Mourinho, who does not view officials as part of the campaign but fears they may have been influenced by it, has until 6 p.m. on Tuesday to respond to the charge.
Chelsea had been at the centre of a debate over diving when Mourinho made the comments. Diego Costa and Willian were booked for simulation against Hull on Dec. 13, prompting Steve Bruce to compare a Gary Cahill dive as "like something out of Swan Lake."
The London club faced renewed scrutiny on Boxing Day when Branislav Ivanovic appeared to take a tumble against West Ham, the type of incident Mourinho believes is being unjustly scrutinised to Chelsea's detriment.
Fabregas looked to have won a penalty early in the second half against Southampton after being caught by Matt Targett, but referee Anthony Taylor instead deemed it a dive and booked the furious Spanish midfielder.
Asked if recent incidents involving Cahill and Ivanovic had been influential, Mourinho said: "Of course. That's a campaign, that's a clear campaign. 'People, pundits, commentators, coaches from other teams -- they react with Chelsea in a way they don't react to other teams.
"They put lots of pressure on the referee and the referee makes a mistake like this. We lose two points, Fabregas earns a yellow card."
The FA also issued a formal warning over comments made by Mourinho on Dec. 19, three days before the victory at Stoke, in which he spoke about the need for a "good, experienced referee." Neil Swarbrick oversaw the match.