L.A. Galaxy to play Real Madrid at the Coliseum on July 16

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On the same day that UEFA, European soccer’s governing body, banned Real Madrid Coach Jose Mourinho for five Champions League games and fined him $73,000, the Galaxy announced Friday that it would play the Spanish club in a July 16 friendly match at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Real Madrid defeated the Galaxy, 3-2, in front of 89,000 fans at the Rose Bowl in August and also won, 2-0, over the Galaxy at the Home Depot Center in 2005.

The 7 p.m. game at the Coliseum will mark the first time the Galaxy has played there since 2007.

Meanwhile, Mourinho on Friday paid the price for his criticism of match officials and his claim that UEFA’s leaders favor Barcelona. Real Madrid was ousted by the Catalan club in the semifinals of the Champions League.

The ban and fine were the result of Mourinho’s ‘inappropriate comments’ after the first game in the semifinal series, UEFA said.

Also banned, but only for three Champions League games, was Barcelona reserve goalkeeper Jose Pinto, who was involved in a halftime brawl as the players left the field during the match in Madrid.

Barcelona and Real Madrid have indicated they will appeal the sanctions.

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-- Grahame L. Jones