Mourinho: "Referee Knew Tchouaméni, Huijsen, Carreras Shouldn't Be Booked; Sent Me Off For Saying So!" - Elbotola
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Mourinho: "Referee Knew Tchouaméni, Huijsen, Carreras Shouldn't Be Booked; Sent Me Off For Saying So!"

Mourinho: "Referee Knew Tchouaméni, Huijsen, Carreras Shouldn't Be Booked; Sent Me Off For Saying So!"

T.E (Elbotola)
18 February 2026at12:13

José Mourinho, coach of Portuguese club Benfica, criticized the referee after his team's match against Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoff round.

Speaking at the post-match press conference following the 0-1 defeat to Real Madrid, Mourinho stated: "The truth is I've coached about 1300 matches, around 200 of them in European competitions, and I know that [the referee] knew that Tchouaméni, Huijsen, and Carreras shouldn't have received yellow cards. He knew."

He continued: "And when Carreras feigns, he doesn't give him a yellow card, and when Tchouaméni commits a foul two, three, or four times, he doesn't give him a yellow card. He knew, and when I said that, he sent me off, but he knows I spoke the truth."

The return leg is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, kicking off at 8:00 PM GMT at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.

What specific referee decisions did José Mourinho criticize after Benfica's Champions League loss?

José Mourinho criticized the referee for not issuing yellow cards to Tchouaméni, Huijsen, and Carreras, stating the official knew they should have been booked. Mourinho was sent off for expressing this view.

When is the return leg between Benfica and Real Madrid in the Champions League playoff?

The return leg is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, kicking off at 8:00 PM GMT. It will take place at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
UEFA Champions League
Real Madrid
Benfica
José Mourinho

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