Jose Mourinho will be forced to watch his team’s crucial clash against Real Madrid from the stands after receiving a touchline ban that rules him out of the trip to the iconic Santiago Bernabéu.
The Portuguese manager was shown a red card in his side’s previous European fixture, following an incident involving match officials late in the game. According to reports from Spanish outlet Marca, the dismissal automatically triggered a one-match suspension under UEFA disciplinary regulations, meaning Mourinho is not permitted to be present on the bench for Wednesday night’s showdown in Madrid.
Sources close to the club suggest Mourinho reacted angrily to a controversial refereeing decision, which led to his expulsion from the technical area. While the exact wording of the referee’s report has not been made public, it is understood that the incident was deemed serious enough to warrant a standard touchline ban rather than a simple warning or fine.
The absence of Mourinho on the sidelines is seen as a significant blow for his team, especially given the importance of the fixture and the intimidating atmosphere expected at the Bernabéu.