The Referee Committee issues a statement against Portuguese Jose Mourinho.

The special one does not change.

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No sooner had he set foot back in Portuguese football than José Mourinho found himself at the center of a fresh controversy. The scene was set after his team, Benfica, was held to a draw by Rio Ave. Never one to mince words, the returning manager immediately turned his fire on the match officials, voicing strong criticisms that echoed his long-established reputation.

🗣️ Asked Jose Mourinho on what he makes of Chelsea's model under Clearlake-Boehly. "Honestly, I don't know the model. There was a set period when even myself, from the outside in, cast some question marks over it because it looked like Chelsea had lost their identity as a club.… pic.twitter.com/mUfnu7Cdb4

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) September 29, 2025

This provocation did not go unanswered. The Portuguese Association of Football Referees, stung by his comments, is now preparing an official rebuttal not through the media, but through legal channels. Their response will take the form of a formal complaint to be lodged with the Disciplinary Council of the Portuguese Football Federation.

Mourinho's in depth appraisal on Chelsea's BlueCo project: "Even from the outside, myself I wondered about Chelsea's identity as a club but the last season put things back on track. They gave trust in Enzo, he brought his ideas, he fit the philosophy of the club. The Conference… pic.twitter.com/BK4gE7RDTD

— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) September 29, 2025

The stage is now set for a classic Mourinho confrontation, but this time off the pitch. Fully aware of the impending action against him, the coach has already fired his next salvo, framing the situation as a matter of principle. He has publicly decried the referees' attempt to hold him accountable for his criticism as an "undemocratic" act, setting the groundwork for a battle over free speech versus the regulations of the sport.