Jose Mourinho could face touchline ban after FA charge for comments following Newcastle comeback
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho faces the possibility of a touchline ban after being charged for using foul language following his side’s Premier League victory over Newcastle United.
Mourinho was filmed looking into a camera and speaking in Portuguese during the moments after United’s 3-2 win. The Football Association has determined the comments constituted “abusive, insulting or improper language”. He has until 6pm on Friday to respond.
Mourinho was in an emotional state during and after the fixture on Oct 6 – a match which had been billed as critical to his future at the club. His side were 2-0 down at half-time but completed a stirring fightback with three goals in the last 20 minutes. Inevitably, the television directors switched their lens directly onto the manager at full-time.
The FA employed a lip reader to establish whether the 55-year-old’s words crossed the line of decency. If found guilty, a fine or a suspension from touchline duty is possible.
There are precedents for this type of charge in the Premier League, which Manchester United will remember. In 2011, Wayne Rooney was banned for two games after accepting an identical FA charge. Rooney swore directly into the TV camera after completing a hat-trick against West Ham United. After failing in an appeal against the length of the ban – which he branded “excessive” – Rooney was suspended for the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City.
Mourinho returns to his former club Chelsea on Saturday. Having claimed he was the focus of a manhunt, his sense of paranoia may increase following the latest developments.
After United’s last victory, having made his point to camera, Mourinho said he was being targeted with personal criticism.
“The fans that read the papers, that are connected with social media, they thought maybe I had gone,” he said. “If I hadn’t had a text from my board not to read, I would have been convinced, too.
“I think life is made of experiences. Some are new and some are deja vu. This is new, it makes me not just a better manager but a better person. I understand things in the human nature nowadays and in the industry where I work, I used to love it, I still love it, but it is different.
“There is too much wickedness in something that should be beautiful. I cope with it, with some sadness. I am a big boy and I will deal with it.”
Meanwhile, Luke Shaw has agreed a new contract with United worth an estimated £52 million over the next five years.
Shaw will sign a £200,000-a-week deal to complete a remarkable transformation, having toiled to win over Mourinho and establish himself as United’s left-back.
The England international’s form has been one of the few highlights of United’s start to the season.
United knew they had to act because the 23-year-old’s £100,000-a-week deal runs out at the end of this campaign.
After a tough start to his United career after being signed from Southampton for £27 million – including an horrendous injury – Shaw has had to fight his way into first-team contention.
He was publicly criticised by Mourinho but since the start of this season all the comments have been positive.
