Lisbon – José Mourinho will be absent from the Benfica touchline for the club’s next two Primeira Liga matches after receiving a ban stemming from his conduct during and after last Sunday’s 2-2 draw against FC Porto. The disciplinary council of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) issued a two-part ruling effectively sidelining the 63-year-old manager, a decision Benfica has already vowed to appeal, calling the sanction “unfair and unjustified.”
The initial one-match ban relates to Mourinho’s red card in the 91st minute of the match. He was dismissed after leaving his technical area and kicking a ball towards the Porto substitutes’ bench in celebration of a Benfica goal, though Mourinho later stated he intended to kick the ball into the stands. Adding to the fallout, Mourinho received an additional 11-day suspension for a heated exchange with Porto assistant coach Lucho González.
The first game Mourinho will miss is Saturday’s match against Arouca. The 11-day suspension will also rule him out of the March 21st fixture against Vitória, with Portuguese media reporting that the punishments cannot be served concurrently. This latest incident underscores Mourinho’s often-contentious relationship with his rivals and raises questions about his ability to maintain composure in high-pressure situations.
The root of the conflict, according to the FPF disciplinary board, began with Mourinho making a gesture with his index finger and thumb, repeatedly telling González “you are small.” González responded by reportedly calling Mourinho, who previously led Porto to Champions League glory in 2004, a “traitor.” González himself has been sanctioned with a one-match ban and an eight-day suspension.
Mourinho Defends His Professional Record
The accusation of being a “traitor” clearly struck a nerve with Mourinho, who launched a passionate defense of his career trajectory. According to reports from Reddit and ESPN, Mourinho responded by questioning what he had betrayed, stating, “I went to FC Porto, I gave my soul to FC Porto, I went to Chelsea, I went to Inter, to Real Madrid… I travelled around the world and gave 24 hours of my life every day, gave my life, my soul. That’s what professionalism is about.”
He further questioned González’s own career moves, asking if the assistant coach had betrayed Porto when he moved to Marseille in 2009. Mourinho expressed frustration that insults from fans were part of the game, but a challenge to his professionalism from a fellow coach was unacceptable. “Insults from the fans are one thing. But a fellow professional calling me a traitor, why? A traitor to what? Giving everything to Benfica? A traitor to what?” he reportedly said.
Benfica to Appeal the Decision
Benfica has swiftly announced its intention to appeal the FPF’s decision, arguing that the punishment handed down to Mourinho is disproportionate. The club believes the sanctions are “unfair and unjustified,” signaling a strong defense of their manager. The appeal process will likely focus on the severity of the punishment in relation to the alleged offenses, and whether the FPF adequately considered Mourinho’s contributions to Portuguese football.
Lucho González, who joined FC Porto in 2005, one year after Mourinho’s departure to Chelsea, has also received his sanction. He previously played six seasons at Porto during two spells with the club before becoming coach Francesco Farioli’s assistant in July 2025, as reported by ESPN.
As Benfica currently sits third in the Primeira Liga standings, seven points behind league leaders FC Porto, the absence of Mourinho for these crucial matches could have a significant impact on their title aspirations. The team will need to rally and demonstrate their resilience in the face of this setback.
The coming weeks will be critical for Benfica as they navigate this challenging period without their manager. The outcome of the appeal and the team’s performance on the pitch will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. The focus now shifts to how Benfica will respond to this adversity and whether they can maintain their pursuit of the Primeira Liga title.
Share your thoughts on this developing story in the comments below.
