Mourinho admits he feels victimised by FA punishments

Matt Stead

Jose Mourinho claims football authorities treat him differently to other managers – and the Manchester United boss wants that to stop.

The Portuguese has won medals throughout his career but the route to glory has not been without controversy and fall outs.

Mourinho’s appointment at Old Trafford led to the resumption of his testy relationship with the Football Association, who this week handed him a touchline ban for the second time within a month.

The latest suspension came after booting a water bottle in frustration in Sunday’s Premier League draw at West Ham, leading to a charge of improper conduct that saw him in the stands when United met the east Londoners in the EFL Cup three days later.

It mattered little given his side triumphed 4-1 but Mourinho feels he is treated differently to others managers.

“The only thing I would like would be the same rules for everyone,” he said following the latest punishment.

“Let’s go back to the last one. I kick a bottle of water, I cannot do it. If I do it, it’s a sending off. After the sending off, there is a punishment.

“So I accept that is a sending off. In fact, if you see the images, when the referee comes, I go – not a word, not a complaint. I accept the suspension of one match and it’s as simple as that.

“But it has to be the same for every manager. It has to be the same.”

Mourinho may feel aggrieved but it is understood that he would not have been handed a ban had the bottle incident been his first offence.

Given the sending off against Burnley and subsequent ban for misconduct, the FA felt a one-match touchline ban and £16,000 fine – double the standard amount – would the correct sanction.

Mourinho will be aware of the code of conduct related to technical area protocol, but may well be aggrieved that old foe Arsene Wenger avoided such punishment when kicking a bottle at Old Trafford in 2009.