Jose Mourinho was already lamenting the loss of Eric Bailly for the start of Man Utd's European campaign, so he will not have been happy with a punishment handed down that means he will also be without Phil Jones.
The England defender has been banned for two European games for insulting and using abusive language towards a doping control officer after the Europa League final back in May, while Daley Blind has been charged with violation and non-compliance of the doping procedure.
#Breaking @ManUtd have been charged with breaching UEFA anti-doping regulations & fined €10,000 following the Europa League final pic.twitter.com/cSwh5c6H3R
— PA Dugout (@PAdugout) July 31, 2017
#Breaking Daley Blind has been charged for violation and non-compliance of the doping procedure, and has been fined €5,000 #MUFC
— PA Dugout (@PAdugout) July 31, 2017
Phil Jones charged with insulting & directing abusive language towards doping control officer, given two-match European ban + €5,000 fine
— PA Dugout (@PAdugout) July 31, 2017
It's an odd one considering we had heard nothing about the original incidents, but further information from Paul Hirst, a writer covering Man Utd and Man City for The Times, suggests an appeal is imminent.
Jones expected to appeal. He&MUFC furious at UEFA. Doping officer took Jones away while squad posed with 'Manchester - a city united' banner
— Paul Hirst (@hirstclass) July 31, 2017
It can be extremely difficult for professional athletes to provide a sample in the immediate aftermath of a game, and we've heard many times about players waiting for hours while their teammates celebrate, such as Robbie Keane after beating Saudi Arabia in the 2002 World Cup, but to abuse the doping officer is something that is never going to fly with UEFA.
It looks like Lindelof and Smalling will be Mourinho's only available centre-backs for the start of the Champions League group stage as well as the Super Cup clash with Real Madrid, so he will be hoping that both can remain fit over the coming weeks.
