Why is José Mourinho not on the bench for Benfica against Real Madrid in the Champions League?
The Benfica manager will watch from the stands as Benfica take on Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Perhaps this was the only way it could happen. Mourinho is here but he’s not here. Arbeloa said it himself: “not for the first time.”
When Benfica take on Real Madrid in the Champions League, Mourinho’s big return to the Spanish capital’s largest place of worship, the stadium in the city he fondly called home, he won’t be allowed to sit on the bench as the game unfolds.
Why is Mourinho not on the bench for Benfica against Real Madrid?
The Portuguese coach was sent off in the first leg of the playoff round after angrily shouting towards referee François Letexier. Footage shows the fourth official extending a hand towards Mourinho on the sideline reminding him not to step onto the pitch; the referee then runs over and sends the coach to the stands.
As a result, he will not sit on the bench at the Bernabéu in the second leg.
The game in Spain is highly anticipated, but not for the right reasons. In Lisbon, play was halted after Vinicius Jr complained that he had been racially abused by Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni, who covered his mouth with his shirt as he uttered something to the Brazilian. Vinicius Jr says he called him “a monkey”. While the investigation is ongoing into what happened, UEFA have provisionally banned Prestianni for one game.
Related stories
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.