Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has called for a ban to be imposed on Jose Mourinho for ‘indefensible’ behaviour during and after the Europa League final.
Mourinho lost his first ever European final on Wednesday, May 31 as Roma were beaten by Sevilla on penalties.
Mourinho was highly critical of referee Anthony Taylor throughout the game, and took his frustrations out on the English referee after full time in the car park.
A video doing rounds on social media shows an irate Mourinho muttering “You’re a (expletive) disgrace” in reference to Taylor’s performance in the Europa League final.
Jose Mourinho to Anthony Taylor: “You’re a f**king disgrace!!!” 😳
— Sports Gist (@theSportsGist) June 1, 2023
(📷 via @tvdellosport)#SportsGist #unitedshowbiz Peter Drury | Mohammed Kudus | FIFA | Teshie | Vodafone | Anthony Taylor | #UELfinal pic.twitter.com/LYTP3nXVI3
That was not the end of Taylor’s woes as the referee was swarmed by angry Roma fans at the airport as he was preparing for a flight back in Britain from Budapest, as reported on Sky Sports.
This series of events have divided fans online, with majority now turning on Mourinho, who they blamed for Anthony Taylor’s encounter with the fans.
Meanwhile, Halsey, who officiated in the Premier League from 1999 to 2013, believes a heavy ban should be imposed on Mourinho and Roma.
“Jose Mourinho’s attack on Anthony Taylor in the Budapest car park was indefensible,” Halsey wrote as quoted on Express Sport.
“Fines and touchline bans are not a deterrent, so I hope Europe’s governing body acts,” added Halsey.
“The level of abuse towards officials is evident in Europe and in English football and points deductions are the only answer. The FA revealed this week they are bringing this punishment into grassroots football but it should start at the top.
According to the former Premier League referee, Sevilla and Roma should also be slapped with a three-point deduction from their next European campaigns.
“I would also ban Mourinho, wherever he goes, for six games because of his unacceptable conduct.” He went on.
Mourinho congratulated Sevilla coach before final penalty
Sports Brief also reported on an interesting incident that saw Mourinho congratulated the Sevilla manager before the penalty shootout was over in the Europa League final.
During the shootout, Sevilla’s Gonzalo Montiel stepped up, but his first effort was stopped by Rui Patricio.
Anthony Taylor, however, ordered the penalty to be retaken after replays showed the keeper was off his line before the ball was struck.
Just before the Argentine went in for his second attempt, Mourinho approached the Sevilla huddle and congratulated opposition coach, Jose Mendilibar.