Jose Mourinho has not set foot inside the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium since departing Real Madrid in 2013, but his long-awaited return on Wednesday is set to be overshadowed by controversy rather than nostalgia.

Now in charge of Benfica, Mourinho will be absent from the dugout for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off after being sent off during last week’s 1-0 first-leg defeat in Lisbon.

The 63-year-old was dismissed for furious protests from the touchline, accusing referee Francois Letexier of selectively avoiding bookings for Madrid players who were at risk of suspension.

“I’ve had my butt on the bench for 1,400 games and he knew perfectly well who he could book and who he couldn’t,” Mourinho complained. “I won’t be sitting on the bench, I can’t go to the dressing room, I can’t communicate with the team. It’s hard for me, but my assistants will do their job.”

Racism row clouds tie

The build-up to the return leg has been further complicated by allegations of racial abuse directed at Madrid star Vinicius Junior by Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni.

UEFA has provisionally suspended Prestianni for one match pending an investigation into the alleged incident, which occurred after Vinicius scored a stunning goal at the Estadio da Luz. If found guilty of racial abuse, the 20-year-old could face a ban of up to 10 matches.

Vinicius later wrote on social media that “racists are above all cowards,” while Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe said he heard Prestianni direct a monkey insult at his teammate.

Prestianni has denied racially abusing the Brazilian, insisting he did not use discriminatory language while covering his mouth with his shirt during the heated exchange.

Mourinho revealed he had spoken to both players and received conflicting accounts. However, he also criticised Vinicius’ goal celebration as disrespectful and insisted Benfica is not a racist institution, citing club legend Eusebio as evidence of its history and values.

His remarks sparked backlash. Former Netherlands international Clarence Seedorf condemned any attempt to justify racist abuse, saying: “We should never, ever justify racial abuse.”

Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold described the episode — which led to a 10-minute pause in the second half — as a “disgrace to football.”

A fraught homecoming

Mourinho’s relationship with Madrid remains complex. During his three-year spell in the Spanish capital, he delivered a LaLiga title and intensified the club’s rivalry with Barcelona, while dividing opinion within the dressing room.

Club president Florentino Perez has long admired the Portuguese coach, and speculation persists that Mourinho could even be considered for a return if current boss Alvaro Arbeloa fails to meet expectations after replacing Xabi Alonso in January.

For now, though, Mourinho’s focus is on overturning the deficit from the stands as Madrid attempt to avoid a humiliating early exit and secure their place in the last 16.

What was meant to be an emotional reunion at the Bernabeu will instead unfold under the weight of suspension, controversy and unresolved tension.