After his AS Roma team suffered a defeat to Sevilla in the Europa League final at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Jose Mourinho reacted by throwing his runners-up medal into the crowd moments after receiving it on May 31.
The match saw a first-half goal by Paulo Dybala countered by a Gianluca Mancini own goal, leading to a penalty shootout.
Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou’s save on Mancini’s penalty, along with Roger Ibanez hitting the crossbar, secured Sevilla’s victory and maintained their flawless record in the Europa League final.
It was the first time that Mourinho had lost a European final and the Portuguese manager was, as expected, not impressed about it. Bizarre scenes rocked the medal awarding ceremony when Mourinho broke ranks with his team and went for his medal alone.
The 60-year-old left his team behind and rushed to the podium to pick his silver medal even before the match officials could be feted. As soon as the medal was hung around his neck, ‘the Special One’ removed it and made a beeline for down the tunnel.
He was then spotted throwing his medal away, which was caught by a young fan in the stands. UEFA officials led by President Aleksander Čeferin then gave the medals to match officials before the rest of the AS Roma squad followed.
Mourinho lashes out at Anthony Taylor
Sports Brief has also reported that Mourinho was spotted hurling obscenities at match referee Anthony Taylor. Mourinho was far from unhappy with some of the decisions made by the English referee.
A video has now surfaced online where Mourinho is heard shouting expletives. The insults are said to have been directed at Anthony Taylor and his team.
“You are a (expletive) disgrace.”
Premier League referee Taylor made a couple of controversial decisions during the game. He first awarded a penalty to Sevilla after Luis Ocampos had been brought down. However, after a VAR review, he rescinded the decision.