Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has escaped punishment after a Football Association charge for using foul language was “found not proven”.
Mourinho was charged with using abusive, insulting or improper language after United’s 3-2 comeback victory over Newcastle United on 6 October.
The United manager was alleged to have sworn into a pitch-side television camera in his native Portuguese after the final whistle.
However, an Independent Regulatory Commission panel ruled on Wednesday that the charge against Mourinho could not be proven, in what represents a rare defeat for the FA.
The decision is subject to appeal, though English football’s governing body is likely to wait until the publication of the panel’s written reasons before responding.
Mourinho, who formally denied the charge of improper conduct last week, risked receiving a touchline ban if he was found to have used ‘abusive’ language by the panel.
A statement from the FA 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.
“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.”
