Real Madrid responded to Barcelona's decision to report Jose Mourinho to UEFA by announcing they were also going to lodge a report with European football's governing body, accusing the Catalan club's players of "feigning aggressions" during Wednesday's Champions League clash.
Those two announcements came after UEFA had confirmed earlier in the day that both Spanish clubs will face disciplinary hearings following incidents during the ill-tempered semi-final first leg at the Bernabeu, which Barca won 2-0.
Two of the five charges against Madrid are related to the conduct of their boss Jose Mourinho, firstly for his dismissal during the match and the other relating to his "inappropriate statement" during the post-match press conference.
Mourinho implied Barca receive favourable treatment from referees and claimed the Catalan club had yet to win a "clean" Champions League title under Pep Guardiola.
Mourinho, who was sent off after protesting against the red card shown to Madrid midfielder Pepe midway through the second half, said: "Today it's clear that against Barcelona you have no chance.
"I don't understand why. I don't know if it's the publicity of UNICEF [the club's shirt sponsor], I don't know if it's the friendship of [Spanish football federation president Angel Maria] Villar at UEFA, where he is vice-president, I don't know if it's because they are very nice, but they have got this power. The rest of us have no chance.
"Guardiola is a fantastic coach, but he has won one Champions League which I would be ashamed to win after the scandal at Stamford Bridge and this year, if he wins it again, it will be after the scandal at the Bernabeu."
The first 'scandal' Mourinho referred to was the Champions League semi-final between Barca and Chelsea in 2009, when the former progressed to the final following a controversial second leg when the London side had four penalty claims turned down. Barca won the final against Manchester United in Rome.
Barca's response to Mourinho's outburst was to confirm they will be reporting the Portuguese to UEFA's disciplinary committee.
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Following an extraordinary board meeting at the Catalan club yesterday afternoon, spokesman Toni Freixa said Barca "want to defend the history, prestige and reputation of our members, fans, players, coaches and directors, who with their hard work and their effort won the 2009 Champions League.
"It's unacceptable that someone questions our titles and our links with UNICEF."
Late last night, Madrid announced they also would be taking action against Barca as the fall-out from the Champions League clash continued.
Madrid said that after learning of Barca's decision they were "obligated to do the same concerning the repeated unsportsmanlike behaviour of Barcelona, whose players consistently feigned aggressions with the sole purpose of misleading the referee of the match, which clearly led to the unfair decision to dismiss our player Pepe."
Madrid also expressed their full support for Mourinho in the statement.
Aside from the two charges directly related to Mourinho, UEFA also announced Madrid will answer charges relating to the throwing of missiles, a pitch invasion and Pepe's red card.
Barca will face just one charge after substitute goalkeeper Jose Pinto was shown a red card during a half-time melee.
The cases will be heard by UEFA's control and disciplinary body on Friday, May 6.
The two clubs will meet at the Nou Camp next Tuesday for the second leg.
