Jose Mourinho criticised Porto's assistant coach for calling him a traitor "50 times" after the Benfica boss was sent off towards the end of a 2-2 draw with the Portuguese Liga leaders.

Mourinho's Benfica fought back from 2-0 down with substitute Leandro Barreiro scoring the equaliser in the 88th minute.

That sparked chaotic scenes and Mourinho was shown a red card for appearing to clash with members of the Porto coaching staff.

When asked why he was sent off, Mourinho replied: "The referee said he sent me off because I kicked a ball towards the Porto bench, which is completely false.

"Many times, after goals, I have kicked the ball into the stands to give it to a lucky fan and celebrate. I know I'm not very good technically, but it was meant for the stands."

Porto assistant and former Argentina midfielder Lucho Gonzalez was also sent off, with Mourinho confirming afterwards that the two did have a disagreement.

"He called me a traitor 50 times in the tunnel," said Mourinho.

"I'd like him to explain to me, a traitor to what? I went to Porto, I gave my soul to Porto, I went to Chelsea, I went to Inter, to Real Madrid, I travelled around the world and gave 24 hours of my life every day, gave my life, my soul. That's what professionalism is about.

"Insults from the fans are one thing. But a fellow professional calling me a traitor, why? A traitor to what? Giving everything to Benfica? A traitor to what? I didn't like it."

Mourinho won six trophies, including the Uefa Cup in 2002-03 and the Champions League in 2003-04, during his spell with Porto between 2002 and 2004.

But last September he returned to Porto's rivals Benfica, where he started his managerial career in 2000, after being sacked by Turkish club Fenerbahce.