Corinthians deny Mourinho-Tevez link

Corinthians denied that Chelsea were chasing striker Carlos Tevez after Jose Mourinho, coach of the English champions, was among the crowd for their game against River Plate on Thursday.

Corinthians denied that Chelsea were chasing striker Carlos Tevez after Jose Mourinho, coach of the English champions, was among the crowd for their game against River Plate on Thursday.

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"It's got nothing to do with Tevez," said Kia Joorabchian, the president of London-based Media Sports Investments who have invested millions of dollars in Corinthians.

"Mourinho is on holiday and can do what he wants," Joorabchian told Brazilian media. "This visit has nothing to do with our player."

Corinthians, the Brazilian champions, signed the Argentina forward from Boca Juniors in 2004 for a South American record fee of $18 million.

Mourinho refused to make any comment, saying only that he had come to watch the game.

Argentina's River Plate won 3-1 in a match which was abandoned in the 83rd minute after Corinthians fans broke down a gate and fought with police.