Why Chelsea Fans Threw Bottles, Mourinho Stepped In to Defend

During Tuesday's Champions League clash between Chelsea and Benfica, Jose Mourinho had to call on his supporters to stop criticizing former Benfica star Enzo Fernandez amid a tense incident.

Enzo Fernandez was pelted with bottles by Benfica fans

The Argentine midfielder severed ties with the Lisbon club when he transferred to the Premier League in 2023 for approximately £106 million. This Champions League match was Fernandez’s first confrontation with his former team since leaving, and it was clear that no affection remained between him and the Benfica supporters.

This was made clear just before halftime when Fernandez moved towards the away fans’ section to take a corner kick. He was instantly subjected to a stream of insults. Afterwards, Benfica fans threw water bottles and other objects at the midfielder, ignoring Mourinho’s urgent appeals for them to stop.

The Portuguese manager, on his return to west London, even left his technical area to approach the away fans’ stand and gesture for them to cease targeting Fernandez.

Fernandez left Benfica two and a half years ago after only three months with the club, a move that left a bitter feeling among Portuguese fans. Right after the transfer was confirmed, Benfica president Rui Costa made a harsh statement about Fernandez’s behavior at the club.

"Enzo Fernandez did not want to stay at Benfica. He gave us no opportunity," said the former Portuguese star. "I tried my best, I am sad, but I will not cry for a player who did not want to remain. When Chelsea appeared, his decision was truly irreversible. From the moment Enzo realized Chelsea was ready to pay the full release clause, he continuously demanded to leave. We tried to convince him, but the player showed no openness to stay at Benfica. I proposed to Chelsea that he could stay until summer for a lower fee, but the player did not want to continue at Benfica – and that’s when everything changed."