Benfica boss Jorge Jesus downplays touchline gesture

Benfica manager Jorge Jesus has defended his touchline conduct during his side's 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League.

Spurs boss Tim Sherwood complained that the Portuguese coach made a three-finger in his direction when his side netted their final goal, and invaded his section of the dugout throughout.

However, Jesus was quick to downplay the controversy, insisting that his hand gesture was not related to the scoreline.

"I was saying: 'number three, Luisao, number three,'" he told reporters, even though Luisao wears the number four shirt. "Maybe here in England, the benches are too close together, compared to in Portugal.

"In Portugal, we have more space apart and we can demonstrate ourselves in our own way.

"When at some stage I invaded Tim Sherwood's personal space, he told me to go to mine. He did the same to me. But it was no more than that, it was quite pleasant in the end."

Spurs travel to Portugal for the second leg on March 20.