Mourinho gets away without a touchline ban and is only fined for labeling a referee unstable

By: The Associated Press Posted: 4:15 AM CST Friday, Dec. 15, 2023

ROME (AP) — Roma coach Jose Mourinho escaped a touchline ban after cooperating with the Italian soccer federation’s disciplinary prosecutor and was instead only fined 20,000 euros ($22,000) on Friday for labeling a referee unstable.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/12/2023 (1023 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Before a recent match with Sassuolo, Mourinho questioned the abilities of referee Matteo Marcenaro.

“We had him three times as a fourth official and I don’t think he has the emotional stability for games of this level,” Mourinho said.

Roma's head coach Jose Mourinho calls out to his players during a UEFA Europa League group G soccer match between Roma and Sheriff, at Rome's Olympic Stadium, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

During the same news conference, Mourinho attacked Sassuolo forward Domenico Berardi, saying the player “exaggerates fouls to draw yellow cards.”

Mourinho later said his Italian wasn’t proficient enough to explain certain concepts.

Roma was also ordered to pay a fine of 20,000 euros ($22,000), with the money from both the club and Mourinho going toward medical research.

Mourinho was suspended for two matches at the start of this campaign for comments about a referee at the end of last season. He was also banned for four matches by UEFA in June for verbally abusing the Europa League final referee in a stadium garage after Roma lost to Sevilla.