Benfica manager Jose Mourinho was left fuming on Tuesday night after his team dropped points in a 1-1 draw with Rio Ave, accusing referee Sergio Guelho of lacking the authority to manage the match.

Benfica appeared to have done enough when they finally broke the deadlock in the second half, but their celebrations were cut short in stoppage time when Rio Ave grabbed a dramatic equaliser.

The result left Mourinho frustrated, not just with his players’ lapse in concentration, but also with key refereeing calls that shaped the contest.

The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss pointed to a disallowed first-half goal as a crucial moment. “We scored a goal. If this is the new football, when goals are ruled out because a small toe steps on another small toe, I don’t like this new football. But that’s the way it is so we have to accept it,” Mourinho told reporters.

While Benfica did eventually take the lead, Mourinho admitted the late concession was unacceptable.

He said, “We kept trying and finally got the goal, but we conceded when we couldn’t concede a goal. It’s tremendously unfair and an awful result for us. It was the game that Rio Ave wanted and which the referee allowed.”

Directing his anger at Guelho, Mourinho added: “He has no personality.”

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