UEFA has handed Roma coach Jose Mourinho a four-match ban in response to his confrontation with English referee Anthony Taylor following the Europa League final.
The incident took place in a car park after the game, where Mourinho, 60, directed a profanity-laden outburst at Taylor.
The charge against Mourinho relates to his use of insulting and abusive language. Both Roma and Sevilla, the opposing team in the final, also faced multiple charges regarding the conduct of their fans and players during the match.
As a consequence, Roma has been prohibited from selling tickets to their traveling fans for one European game in the upcoming season and fined €55,000 (£47,300). The charges against the club include the throwing of objects, lighting of fireworks, and improper conduct of their team.
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During the match, Taylor, 44, was frequently called to the benches to address various incidents as the fourth official, Michael Oliver, struggled to maintain control. Taylor issued yellow cards to a total of 13 players, setting a record for the most bookings in a Europa League game. Seven of these cards were shown to Roma players, also marking a record for the most bookings in a final.
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Following the match, Mourinho criticized Taylor in his news conference and later confronted the English referee and other officials as they boarded a minibus in the car park beneath the stadium. Mourinho repeatedly used offensive language, expressed his disapproval by shouting about a “disgrace,” and continued the conversation in Italian.
Furthermore, Taylor and his family were subjected to verbal abuse by angry fans at Budapest Airport, with one person being charged with affray, according to airport officials. UEFA strongly condemned the violent behavior directed towards Taylor and his family, emphasizing that such actions are unacceptable and undermine the spirit of fair play and respect that UEFA upholds.
The referees’ body PGMOL and the Premier League both expressed their dismay at the abuse suffered by Taylor and his family, with the Premier League stating that no one should have to endure such inexcusable behavior.
As a result of his suspension, Mourinho will be absent from the touchline for the start of Roma’s Europa League campaign in the next season, following their sixth-place finish in Serie A.