Jose Mourinho’s charge for alleged abusive language in Manchester United’s win over Newcastle has been dropped, the FA has confirmed.
The United boss requested a non-personal hearing on October 24 after being granted an extension to respond to comments he is alleged to have made towards a camera in Portuguese after the 3-2 victory at Old Trafford.
An FA statement read: “A charge against Jose Mourinho for allegedly using language which was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper has been found not proven following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today [31/10/18].
“It related to an incident at the end of the Manchester United versus Newcastle United game on 6 October 2018.
“Written reasons for the decision of the Independent Regulatory Commission will be published in due course. This decision is subject to appeal.”
Mourinho’s decision to appeal the initial charge, which could have seen him face a touchline ban, meant he was present for United’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea, the Champions League defeat to Juventus and Sunday’s 2-1 win over Everton.
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 faced disciplinary action.
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