Thursday’s UEFA Europa League second leg between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce was suspended for 15 minutes due to fighting in the stands but there was nothing but love between Jose Mourinho and one steward in Belgium.
Mourinho’s Fenerbahce side had won the first leg 3-0 in Turkey seven days earlier and they went 4-0 up on aggregate when Youssef En-Nesyri scored after just four minutes in Belgium.
However, moments after that goal, the match was suspended following ugly scenes involving fans.
Riot police then rushed into the stands to deal with the trouble, while stewards also did what they could after warnings were displayed on the stadium’s big screen urging fans to behave themselves.
Referee Sandro Schaerer ordered both sets of players to the centre of the pitch when he made the decision to pause the game and send them back to the dressing room.
Thankfully, after a delay of around 15 minutes, the players were able to return to action and continue the game.
Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho (right) put his arm around an Anderlecht steward
Riot police had earlier been deployed to deal with crowd trouble at Lotto Park in Belgium
The steward smiled when Mourinho embraced him but looked a little awkward moments laterÂ
After play had resumed, Anderlecht made it 1-1 on the night when Luis Vazquez found the net in the 19th minute.
There were no more goals before half-time, with the most memorable moment taking place on the sidelines.
Cameras spotted Fenerbahce manager Mourinho affectionately putting his arm around the shoulder of a much shorter steward, who initially smile before looking a little awkward.
The incident was broadcast live on TNT Sports 3 and the commentator declared: ‘Jose’s made a friend!’
Thursday’s game ended 2-2 after further goals from Vazquez and Yusuf Akcicek in the second half.
That result saw Fenerbahce progress to the round of 16 with a 5-2 victory on aggregate.
Mourinho’s men will face Rangers or Olympiacos next.Â
