Jose Mourinho to be on Bench for Chelsea’s Clash against Liverpool
Jose Mourinho is likely to be on the touchline at Stamford Bridge on Saturday against Liverpool. The Blues manager was charged on Monday by the England Football Association for his behavior towards the match officials in the dressing room area at half-time during Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham of Saturday.
Mourinho has until 6pm on Thursday to respond to the charge, which only gives the FA a day to convene the independent panel and discuss the case before Chelsea take on Liverpool on Saturday lunchtime.
However, source has it that the case will almost certainly be heard next week, leaving Mourinho free to take his place in the clash against Jurgen Klopp’s team.
The independent panel can take previous game-time charges into account. Mourinho returned to Chelsea in 2013 and has since been set to the stands twice, firstly against Cardiff City in October 2013 and again against Aston Villa in March 2014.
However, the panel cannot take into consideration previous post-match charges, such as criticising officials to the media, as these are separate offences.
Earlier this month, Mourinho was fined £50,000 and given a one-match suspended stadium ban by the FA for criticising referees in the media following Chelsea’s 3-1 home defeat to Southampton.
He is currently contesting that verdict having labeled the fine a ‘disgrace’ The panel cannot invoke Mourinho’s suspended stadium ban on this occasion. He could receive a five-match stadium ban because of previous cases handled by the panel.
There is no minimum or maximum penalty he can be given and the panel will discuss Moss’ findings and response before making a final decision on any punishment.
