Jose Mourinho Banned from Touchline: What Keeps the Special One Away from Benfica vs. Real Madrid Showdown?
José Mourinho's anticipated comeback to the Santiago Bernabéu will not unfold as expected this Wednesday.
The ex-Real Madrid coach was scheduled to make his first touchline appearance at his former stadium since leaving in 2013, but he will be absent from the dugout during Benfica's Champions League playoff second leg in the Spanish capital.
Madrid secured a 1–0 victory in the opening leg at the Estádio da Luz, a match completely dominated by reports of racial abuse directed at Vinicius Junior by Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni. The Argentine player, who has refuted any misconduct, has been banned from Wednesday's encounter as UEFA examines the situation.
A highly charged second leg will witness Benfica taking the field without their head coach on the sideline, with the 'Special One' compelled to watch from the stands.
Why José Mourinho Is Not on the Touchline at the Bernabéu
Why José Mourinho Is Not on the Touchline at the Bernabéu
Once again in his extensive career, Mourinho clashed with match officials during Benfica's loss to Madrid. After furiously challenging referee François Letexier over what he perceived as favorable treatment toward the Madrid squad, Mourinho received his marching orders following a second caution.
"I was dismissed for stating something quite clear: the referee possessed a note that indicated, '[Aurélien] Tchouaméni, [Álvaro] Carreras, and [Dean] Huijsen were immune from yellow cards.' And he declined to caution either Carreras or Tchouaméni," Mourinho explained to reporters following the initial encounter.
"I informed the referee. Having overseen 1,400 matches from the bench, he understood exactly whom he could and couldn't book."
Due to his ejection, the Portuguese manager must fulfill his suspension during the return leg in Spain, with his penalty preventing him from accessing the touchline, entering the locker room or directly coordinating with his squad.
Mourinho Ducks Press Conference After Vinicius Jr Remarks
Mourinho Ducks Press Conference After Vinicius Jr Remarks
Mourinho's ban permits him to skip press conference obligations before and after the second leg, according to UEFA regulations. The 63-year-old has decided to utilize this option, instead delegating assistant manager João Tralhão, who declined to address Prestianni's alleged racist comment ahead of the fixture.
Mourinho presumably avoided media duties following the substantial criticism he faced for his statements concerning the alleged racism targeting Vinicius Jr, whom the Benfica manager blamed for provoking the incident.
The former Chelsea, Manchester United and Inter coach implied that Vinicius Jr's "disrespectful" goal celebrations triggered the incident, while also referencing Benfica icon Eusébio as a defense when asserting that the Portuguese club is not racist.
Mourinho's statements have faced widespread criticism, with Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany among those who have denounced the veteran for his poorly judged remarks.