Jose Mourinho has been given a one match stadium ban and fined £40,000 by the FA. The action comes on the back of the Portuguese manager’s behaviour during the defeat to West Ham on the 24th of October.
The self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ was sent into the stands by the match referee Jon Moss after he attempted to get into the referee’s room during the half-time break. The referee’s room is a private area that manager’s are forbidden from entering.
The 52 year old could appeal against the Football Association’s punishment when he receives their written reasons this week, but if he doesn’t then he won’t be allowed to enter the stadium during the defending Premier League champion’s game against Stoke City on Saturday.
To make matters worse for the Portuguese manager this stadium ban and fine is separate the the one-match suspended stadium ban he received alongside a £50,000 fine for things said in relation to the referee after Chelsea’s loss to Southampton on 3rd October. Mourinho described the fine as a ‘disgrace’ and appealed against it, so it would be a surprise if he declined the opportunity to appeal against this one too, even if he did admit to a misconduct charge over his language and his behaviour during the incident.
The Football Association had originally also lodged an improper conduct charge against Mourinho’s assistant Silvino Louro. They have since withdrawn the charge but reminded him of his responsibilities.
The stadium ban and fine merely add to Mourinho’s problems, with his side languishing in 15th place in the Premier League having lost six games from their opening eleven matches in the top flight. It is Chelsea’s worse start to a league campaign since 1978-1979 when a win was only worth 2 points. It is also officially the worst defence of a Premier League crown since Blackburn Rovers in 1994.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, former Chelsea midfielder – and the club’s all time top scorer – Frank Lampard offered a defence of Jose Mourinho, saying, “He is a world-class manager. I think they should stick with him but results need to change now”.