Sporting: Referee who sent off Mourinho chosen for Arsenal clash

UEFA has appointed 36-year-old French referee François Letexier to officiate Wednesday's crucial UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg between Arsenal and Sporting. Letexier, an international referee since 2017, will be assisted by Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni, with Stéphanie Frappart serving as the fourth official. The VAR booth will feature Germany's Bastian Dankert (VAR) and Belgium's Bram Van Driessche (AVAR).

It's worth noting that François Letexier was a prominent name earlier this season following José Mourinho's expulsion on February 17th. The Benfica coach was sent off during the first leg of the Champions League play-off for the round of 16, a match where Benfica lost 0-1 to Real Madrid. After the game, José Mourinho did not hold back in his criticism of Letexier.

"My sending off? It happened because I told the referee the truth, and he knows I told the truth. The truth is, I have 1300 games as a coach, about 200-something in European competitions, and I know he knew that Tchouaméni, Huijsen, and Carreras couldn't receive a yellow card. He knew. When Carreras simulates, he doesn't give a yellow. When Tchouaméni commits two, three, or four fouls, he doesn't give him a yellow. He knew. The referee wasn't content just officiating this game; he wanted to officiate the next one, and I told him. He sent me off, but he knows I told the truth," stated the Eagles' coach.