Jose Mourinho will vigorously contest his FA charge for alleged abusive language in Manchester United’s win over Newcastle, Sky Sports News understands.
The United boss had until 6pm on Wednesday to respond to the charge and will request a non-personal hearing after comments he is alleged to have made towards a camera after the 3-2 victory against the Magpies at Old Trafford in October.
Mourinho was granted an extension to respond to the FA charge on Friday, which allowed him to be on the touchline for the 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, while he was also present on Tuesday for the Champions League defeat to Juventus.
The victory over Newcastle was played amid a tense atmosphere with the club having denied a report earlier in the day that Mourinho was going to be sacked that weekend, regardless of the result.
However, the club denied those rumours and Mourinho’s side recovered from 2-0 down to complete a dramatic comeback victory with a 90th-minute goal from Alexis Sanchez.
Footage from the game shows Mourinho saying something in Portuguese – at one point while looking into a camera – as he headed towards the tunnel following the final whistle.
In their original statement on October 16, the FA said: “It is alleged that his language at the end of the fixture, as captured by the broadcast footage, was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper.”
Mourinho was involved in more controversy in United’s next Premier League fixture, a 2-2 draw against his former club Chelsea, after Ross Barkley’s 96th-minute equaliser sparked a melee on the touchline.
Chelsea assistant coach Marco Ianni celebrated the goal emphatically in front of Mourinho and his actions prompted a reaction from the United boss as well as fellow staff members, with security having to intervene.
Mourinho avoided a charge from the FA for that game, but was formally reminded of his responsibilities as Ianni faces disciplinary action.
United lost 1-0 at home to Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday and return to domestic duties against Everton on Sunday.