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“Mourinho’s Handcuffs” meme: meaning, origin and rare card

During Inter–Sampdoria, José Mourinho crossed his wrists to mime handcuffs at the referee.

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 7 min read
Mourinho’s Handcuffs meme
The “Mourinho’s Handcuffs” meme

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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Mourinho’s Handcuffs” is a rare card of the Italian Memes pack, number 104 of the collection, and the 76th best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.

What does the “Mourinho’s Handcuffs” meme mean?

You use it to say “they’re out to get us” or “it’s a conspiracy”, with a dash of self-mockery: when you complain about a refereeing call, a check or a decision that feels unfair. The tone is sarcastic, never serious.

Where does the “Mourinho’s Handcuffs” meme come from?

The Inter–Sampdoria match, a 0-0 draw, was played on 20 February 2010, with Mourinho coaching Inter. Sports judge Gianpaolo Tosel banned him for three matches and fined him 40,000 euros, citing repeated, theatrical protests against the referee, “in particular by miming the handcuff gesture”. He was also charged with insulting the referee and assistants at half-time and with repeatedly objecting to the presence of federal prosecutor’s staff during the game. The image of the crossed wrists then circulated as the symbol of “we are being persecuted”.

  1. 2010On 20 February, in Inter–Sampdoria (0-0), Mourinho mimes handcuffs; he is later banned for three matches.

How to use the “Mourinho’s Handcuffs” meme

  • Third ID check this month: il gesto delle manette.
  • My teacher gave me a low mark again, crossing my wrists like Mourinho.
  • Yellow card for breathing? Il gesto delle manette.

Also searched as

  • Mourinho manette
  • il gesto delle manette
  • Mourinho handcuffs Inter Sampdoria
  • Mourinho handcuffs gesture meme
  • Mourinho three match ban handcuffs
  • Inter Sampdoria 2010 Mourinho
  • Mourinho manette meme

The “Mourinho’s Handcuffs” card in MyMemeCards

Mourinho’s Handcuffs card
NumberNo. 104
RarityRare
CollectionItalian Memes pack
Fame55/100 · #76 of 300
Recycle value10 MemeCoins (30 in Shiny)
Rarities of the Italian Memes pack: 300 cards
  • Common14749%
  • Rare9030%
  • Epic3813%
  • Legendary227.3%
  • Mythic31.0%

How to get the “Mourinho’s Handcuffs” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Mourinho’s Handcuffs comes out of the Italian Memes pack as a rare card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.

Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 10 MemeCoins.

Open your free pack

5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.

Free · no account needed

Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details

Memes like “Mourinho’s Handcuffs”

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Every card of the Italian Memes pack →

Frequently asked questions

What does Mourinho do in the handcuffs meme?

He crosses his wrists as if being handcuffed, to protest the refereeing.

When did it happen?

During Inter–Sampdoria on 20 February 2010, which ended 0-0.

What punishment did he get?

A three-match ban and a 40,000 euro fine from sports judge Gianpaolo Tosel.

How do I get the Mourinho’s Handcuffs meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Mourinho’s Handcuffs” is a rare card of the Italian Memes pack. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.

How rare is the Mourinho’s Handcuffs card?

It is a Rare card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.

Sources: José Mourinho, Wikipedia (it) · checked on November 5, 2026.

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