José Mourinho will be sidelined for the next two matches of Benfica following a red card and a confrontation with an assistant coach from FC Porto during last Sunday’s heated encounter dubbed O Clássico.
The disciplinary committee of the Portuguese federation has ruled that the 63-year-old Benfica manager will miss two upcoming games as a result of these actions.
Mourinho was handed a one-match suspension following his red card in the latter stages of Sunday’s 2-2 draw.
Mourinho was penalized for leaving his technical area and kicking a ball toward Porto’s substitute bench in celebration of a goal, asserting that he intended to kick it into the stands.
The controversial manager also received an 11-day suspension for his interaction with Porto’s assistant coach Lucho González, which escalated tensions.
The one-match suspension will take effect for Benfica’s upcoming game against Arouca on Saturday, while the 11-day suspension will keep him out of the match against Vitoria on March 21. It has been noted by Portuguese media that these suspensions cannot be served simultaneously.
In response to the rulings delivered on Thursday night, Benfica announced their intention to appeal, labeling Mourinho’s punishment as “unfair and unjustified.”
The disciplinary council indicated that Mourinho instigated the altercation with González by gesturing with his fingers and repeatedly telling him “you are small.” In retaliation, González referred to Mourinho, who led Porto to a Champions League title in 2004, as “a traitor.”
González has also been handed a one-game ban alongside an eight-day suspension.