Online Reporter
JOSE MOURINHO was sent off for Benfica after protesting a decision to not send off Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr – then he pushed the boundaries again.
The dramatic Champions League clash, which sparked into life after half-time when Vinicius appeared to complain about being racially abused, saw the Special One sent to the stands in the 85th minute.
But Mourinho, 63, only went to sit in the first row of seats behind the bench, amusing those close to him.
The red card will mean he cannot be on the touchline for the play-off second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu next week.
Mourinho will be forced to watch on from the stands, presumably further away from the pitch than he was here, against his former side with the tie on the line.
Former referee Mark Clattenburg said on Amazon Prime: “It will be interesting to see what Uefa‘s delegate does because he is still in the technical area where the Benfica technical staff are, and he should be further away, so he can coach his team from that technical area.”
Alan Shearer, on commentary, added: “Not that we thought he would slow down or change, but it is very Mourinho-like.”
A fan online wrote: “Is Mourinho supposed to be where he is sitting after a red card?”
Another added: “Even from the stands, he controls the script.”
Mourinho’s men lost 1-0 in a repeat of last month’s chaotic group phase clash that ended 4-2 with Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scoring to keep the Portuguese side in the competition.
This was not a night dominated by the football, though.
Mourinho had shouted at referee Francois Letexier for not giving Vinicius a second yellow when fouling Richard Rios late on.
He wanted the attacker to go after a free-kick was given to Benfica on the edge of the Madrid box.
Vinicius was first booked shortly after half-time when celebrating giving Madrid the lead with a stunning goal.
He danced by the corner flag in front of the home Benfica fans and was punished by the ref.
Gianluca Prestianni was one of the Benfica players unhappy with his gesture.
This was followed by a delay in play after the Brazilian looked to make an allegation of a racist comment from Prestianni.
Vinicius, running back to the centre circle for kick off, quickly turned to Letexier after Prestianni seemed to say something to him under his shirt.
The game was stopped as Letexier went through Uefa’s anti-racism protocols.
Vinicius protested and sat on the bench as both sets of players and staff confronted each other.
A member of the Madrid coaching staff was sent off with Kylian Mbappe one of many to go up to Prestianni.
Vinicius could be seen talking to Mourinho and Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa as a decision was made to try and get the match back on.
Objects from the fans were thrown towards the referee, Vinicius, and benches as the game resumed.
Vinicius was booed loudly and did not want to take a corner in the last minute as supporters threw more onto the pitch, aiming it at Vinicius and and Mbappe.
A water bottle was seen hitting Vinicius as he stood and waited by the same corner flag he celebrated next to – Sun.
Mathew Masinge