Benfica manager Jose Mourinho has slammed match officials and members of the FC Porto staff after being sent off during a dramatic 2-2 draw in O Clássico.
The Portuguese coach was dismissed late in the match following heated exchanges on the touchline after Benfica completed a comeback from two goals down.
Despite the controversy, the result left Porto still leading the Liga Portugal standings with a four-point advantage over Sporting CP.
Porto race into early lead
Porto made a strong start and went ahead in the 10th minute through Victor Froholdt.
The visitors doubled their advantage before halftime when Oskar Pietuszewski scored to give the league leaders strong control of the match.
Benfica responded after the break as Andreas Schjelderup reduced the deficit before Leandro Barreiro scored a late equaliser in the 89th minute.
The goal sparked chaotic scenes on the touchline that ultimately led to Mourinho’s dismissal.
Mourinho angered by Porto staff
Following the match, Mourinho disputed the referee’s explanation for the red card.
“The referee said he sent me off because I kicked a ball towards the FC Porto substitutes’ bench,” he said.
“That’s completely false. Many times, in our goals, I kick the ball towards the stands to give a lucky fan a chance. I know I’m not very good technically, but it was meant for the stands. I was wrongly sent off.”
The former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager also claimed he was repeatedly insulted by a Porto assistant coach.
“He called me a traitor 50 times. I’d like him to explain to me, a traitor to what?” Mourinho said.
“I went to FC Porto, I gave my soul to FC Porto… I went around the world and gave 24 hours of my life every day. That’s called professionalism.”
Title race still open
Despite Benfica’s comeback, Mourinho admitted Porto were the stronger side for much of the match.
“For a large part of it, FC Porto was closer to winning than we were,” he said. “They are far superior to us in the intensity of the game.”
Porto remain top of Liga Portugal with 66 points, while Benfica sit seven points behind.
“There are 27 points left,” Mourinho added. “Seven points doesn’t seem easy to recover, but as long as it’s mathematically possible, anything can happen.”