Jose Mourinho is never far from controversy or newspaper headlines, and that is once again the case in the aftermath of AS Roma’s penalty shootout loss in the Europa League final against La Liga side and competition specialists Sevilla in Budapest. The Portuguese coach was involved in plenty of drama on the night, both during the game and after the final whistle.
English referee Anthony Taylor was on the receiving end of strong criticism from Mourinho who, like the majority of Roma supporters, felt aggrieved with the officiating on the night. As a result, UEFA have now opened disciplinary proceedings against Mourinho and La Gazzetto dello Sport report that he could be hit with a lengthy ban for his behaviour.
Why was Mourinho angry with the Europa League final referee?
Roma coach Jose Mourinho and many people associated with the Lupi felt hard done by as a result of what they believed to be serious mistakes made by referee Anthony Taylor and his team during the Europa League final.
Taylor’s decision to give Sevilla a penalty for what he perceived to be a foul from Roger Ibanez on Lucas Ocampos was one of those decisions, with VAR intervening swiftly and the Englishman then reversing his decision to award a spot kick after consulting his pitchside monitor.
Later, Taylor didn’t award Roma a penalty when a Nemanja Matic cross struck the hand of Sevilla’s Fernando. With the Giallorossi outraged, the referee signalled that he had interpreted Fernando’s arm to have been close enough to the side of his body to justify not pointing to the spot.
Roma also believed that Erik Lamela should have been sent off for a second yellow card, only for the Argentine to go on and convert a penalty in the shootout.
Mourinho abuses Europa League final referee in stadium car park
After the penalty shootout loss in Budapest, Mourinho didn’t hold back in criticising referee Anthony Taylor, annoyed by a number of his decisions on the night.
In his post-match press conference, Mourinho said: “let’s hope that Taylor only officiates games in the Champions League and does the same bull*** there that he did tonight, and not in the Europa League.”
But things didn’t stop there. Mourinho also accused Taylor of “seeming Spanish” and he then made his way to the stadium’s car park to confront the referee himself.
“It’s a f***ing disgrace,” lamented Mourinho in English when Taylor appeared on his way out, before also shouting “shame on you” and other criticisms.
Taylor and his family were then at the centre of ugly scenes at the airport, with Roma fans hurling abusive words and even throwing things in their direction as they made their way through the crowd.
