Jose Mourinho was fined by the Football Association for pre-match comments about Anthony Taylor after his remarks were found to have brought “an additional layer of pressure” upon the referee, it was revealed on Wednesday.
Manchester United manager Mourinho spoke about Taylor ahead of last month’s goalless draw away to arch-rivals Liverpool in the Premier League.
Taylor’s suitability to take charge of the game was widely questioned in the build-up, mainly on account of the fact he lives in Altrincham, near Manchester.
Mourinho, asked for his view, said: “I think somebody with intention, is putting much pressure on him, that I feel it will be difficult for him to have a very good performance.”
An independent regulatory commission found him guilty and imposed a fine. Their reasons for doing so were made public on Wednesday.
“Despite Mr Mourinho’s assertions that the comments were not intended to be critical of Mr Taylor and were positive in nature, the regulatory commission did not share this view.
“The regulatory commission were unanimous in their view that these comments had brought the game into disrepute and that the second element of the charge had been proven,” it added.
