By Our Reporter
José Mourinho has alleged bias in officiating after receiving a red card during a recent match, insisting his dismissal had nothing to do with protesting a booking for Vinícius Júnior.
Speaking after the game, Mourinho claimed he was sent off for confronting the referee over what he described as selective disciplinary decisions. According to the veteran coach, the match official appeared reluctant to caution certain players who risked suspension for the second leg of the tie.
“It wasn’t about Vinícius’ second yellow… No,” Mourinho said. “I was sent off because I said something very clear. The referee had a note that basically said: ‘Aurélien Tchouaméni, Álvaro Carreras and Dean Huijsen can’t get a yellow card!’ Because they would have missed the second leg.”
Mourinho, who has managed at the highest level across Europe for over two decades, suggested the referee was aware of the implications of issuing bookings to specific players.
“I told him that I’ve spent 1,400 games on the touchline, and he knew exactly who he was allowed to book… and who he wasn’t,” he added. “In the end, he booked someone everyone could see. We know how these things work.”
The comments are likely to spark debate over refereeing standards and disciplinary consistency in high-stakes fixtures. While match officials have not publicly responded to Mourinho’s claims, governing bodies typically review red card incidents and post-match remarks that question the integrity of officiating.
Mourinho’s outspoken criticism continues a long-standing pattern of confrontations with referees throughout his managerial career, further intensifying scrutiny around the match and its aftermath.