EPL

Mourinho charged by FA over touchline antics

Jose Mourinho has been charged with improper conduct by the FA after he was sent to the stands during Manchester United’s draw with West Ham at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Mourinho was dismissed from the touchline by referee Jon Moss for the second time in six games when he angrily kicked a water bottle in protest at Paul Pogba being booked in the first half.

The United manager has until 6pm on Thursday to respond to the charge – his third FA rap in the space of a month – and now faces being banned from the touchline for the second time this season.

A statement from the FA read: ‘Jose Mourinho has been charged following Manchester United’s game against West Ham United on Sunday.

It is alleged his behaviour in or around the 27th minute of the game amounts to improper conduct.’

The case will be dealt with by an independent regulatory commission which has the power to increase the one-match suspension Mourinho served at Swansea earlier this month if he is found guilty.

There is no set tariff for the offence and the 53-year-old’s conduct over the past 12 months would also be taken into account.

Manchester United, meanwhile, will not take the manager to task over his touchline aggression despite what is one of the worst spate of disciplinary problems in Premier League history.

Sportsmail understands that while Louis van Gaal’s replacement has repeatedly rubbed authorities up the wrong way, United will not warn him of the image he is presenting.

United officials are keen to stress controversial management is nothing new at the club and Sir Alex Ferguson had long-standing run-ins with the FA and officiating.

It’s thought executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward would not want to drive a wedge between club hierarchy and their expensive boss.

There was always a group inside United who were uneasy with the former Chelsea manager’s summer appointment and they will point to a number of indiscretions recently.

Mourinho has just served a one-match ban for a half-time rant at Mark Clattenburg during the goalless draw against Burnley, while also being given fines totalling £58,000 in the last few weeks alone for that and questioning Anthony Taylor being handed their clash at Liverpool.

JOSE MOURINHO’S £288,000 PENALTY FINES

Jan 2005 Chelsea – £5,000 fine: Accusing Man Utd of cheating during League Cup semi-final.

Feb 2005 Chelsea – £9,000 fine, two-match ban: Criticising referee Anders Frisk after Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat by Barcelona.

Jun 2005 Chelsea – £75,000 fine: Tapping up Ashley Cole.

Oct 2013 Chelsea – £8,000 fine: Sent to the stands by referee Anthony Taylor during 4-1 win over Cardiff.

Mar 2014 Chelsea – £8,000 fine: Sent to the stands by referee Chris Foy during 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa.

Apr 2014 Chelsea – £10,000 fine: Calling referee Mike Dean ‘fantastic’ after 2-1 defeat by Sunderland.

Jan 2015 Chelsea – £25,000 fine: Claiming there was a campaign by referees against his side.

Oct 2015 Chelsea – £50,000, one-match ban: Criticising officials after 3-1 defeat by Southampton.

Nov 2015 Chelsea – £40,000, one-match ban: Called referee Jon Moss ‘f***ing weak’ at half-time in defeat by West Ham.

Nov 2016 Man Utd – £58,000, one-match ban: Sent to the stands against Burnley and fined for comments about Anthony Taylor ahead of United v Liverpool.