Jose Mourinho has pushed back against the decision to send him off during a heated 2-2 draw between Benfica and league leaders FC Porto, insisting the referee got it wrong.
Tempers boiled over late in the Portuguese league showdown after Benfica clawed their way back from two goals down. Substitute Leandro Barreiro struck in the 88th minute to level the contest, sparking wild celebrations on the touchline and chaos between both benches.
Moments later, Mourinho was shown a red card. The Benfica boss said the referee accused him of kicking the ball towards the Porto dugout, a claim he flatly denied.
“The referee said he sent me off because I kicked a ball towards the Porto bench, which is completely false,” Mourinho said after the match.
“Many times after goals I kick the ball into the stands to give it to a fan and celebrate. I know I’m not very good technically, but it was meant for the stands.”
The flashpoint came amid a heated exchange with Porto assistant coach Lucho Gonzalez, who was also dismissed.
Jose Mourinho confronts match officials on Sunday, March 8.
Mourinho later revealed the pair had clashed in the tunnel, claiming the former Argentina midfielder repeatedly called him a “traitor”.
“He called me a traitor 50 times in the tunnel,” Mourinho said.
“I’d like him to explain to me, a traitor to what? I went to Porto, I gave my soul to Porto. Then I worked at clubs like Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid. I travelled the world and gave everything. That is professionalism.
“Insults from fans are one thing. But a fellow professional calling me a traitor, why? A traitor to what? Giving everything to Benfica? I didn’t like it.”
Mourinho’s history with Porto runs deep. During his spell there between 2002 and 2004, he delivered six trophies, including the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Cup.
The Portuguese coach returned to Benfica last September after leaving Fenerbahce, taking charge of the club where his managerial journey first began in 2000.
