FA accepts decision to clear Mourinho using foul language

Joe Williams

The Football Association has accepted the decision by an independent regulatory commission to clear Jose Mourinho of using foul language at the end of Manchester United’s Premier League match against Newcastle.

After coming back to win 3-2 on October 6 to a backdrop of intense scrutiny about the Portuguese’s Old Trafford future, the 55-year-old manager was filmed in animated mood.

Footage showed Mourinho making comments in Portuguese, at one point looking into a camera, as he headed towards the tunnel after the final whistle on October 6, leading to an FA charge for using abusive, insulting or improper language.

The United boss was cleared of that charge by an independent commission at a hearing on October 31, but the FA appealed against that decision.

On Monday, the governing body issued a statement saying: “Whilst we accept that the Independent Regulatory Commission disagreed on this occasion, The FA wishes to make clear that it will continue to take action against Participants for any form of abusive, insulting, or improper language or behaviour, which is directed towards a camera.”

The FA now considers this matter to be closed, the statement added.