Jose Mourinho claimed he was shown a red card after accusing the referee of protecting Real Madrid players during their Champions League clash with Benfica.
The Portuguese coach was sent off late in the match, adding further controversy to an already tense European fixture.
Mourinho later clarified that his dismissal was not about Vinicius Jr., but about what he viewed as uneven officiating. His explanation has since fueled debate about the referee’s decisions.
Mourinho explains reason for his red card
Jose Mourinho spoke about the incident after the match and addressed why he believed he was dismissed. He rejected the idea that the red card was related to calls involving Vinicius Jr.
Instead, he said his protest concerned what he perceived as selective disciplinary protection in favor of Real Madrid’s players.
“Did I get sent off for telling the ref to send off Vini? No, no, I got sent off because I told him I knew he had a note that said ‘you can’t book Huijsen, Carreras and Tchouaméni’, because then they’d be suspended. I know how these things work.”
The comments indicated Mourinho believed certain Real Madrid players were being spared bookings that would have resulted in suspension.
Champions League clash overshadowed by controversy
The wildcard round meeting between Benfica and Real Madrid had already featured several flashpoints before Mourinho’s dismissal. Tensions ran high throughout the contest.
The red card shifted attention away from the scoreline and toward officiating standards. Mourinho’s claims have prompted renewed scrutiny over how disciplinary decisions were applied.
The Real Madrid players mentioned were reportedly at risk of suspension in the competition. That backdrop heightened the importance of any potential yellow card.
With a second leg still to come, Mourinho’s allegations have added another layer of tension to the tie. The fallout is likely to remain part of the buildup.
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