Mourinho granted extension on FA charge, will be on touchline against Chelsea

For reasons not very well explained, Jose Mourinho has been granted a five-day extension to respond to the FA charge of using “abusive and/or insulting and/or improper” language in full view of the TV cameras at the end of Manchester United’s previous match, the 3-2 comeback win over Newcastle.

Mourinho was supposed to respond by 6pm today, facing him with the decision to accept the charges and face a potential touchline ban, or to ask for a hearing, which would’ve allowed him to be on the touchline at Stamford Bridge, but could’ve risked more severe punishment if found to be frivolous.

Now he has until Wednesday to respond, so it’s a moot point as far as we’re concerned.

For what it’s worth, Mourinho has promised to be his best behavior tomorrow. Whatever that means.

“For me it’s another game. Would I celebrate like crazy my team’s goal or victory at Stamford Bridge? I don’t think so.

”I think I will try always to control myself and to respect the stadium and supporters that were my supporters and my stadium for many years. To do that I would have to lose my emotional control, which is not easy.

”I think I would always think where I am, which stadium I’m in and which public is in the stands. Apart from that, it’s just another match for me. A match I want to do well in for my players, my team and my supporters, that’s what I want.”

-Jose Mourinho; source: Sky

Just another match? Sure, sure, let’s go with that.