Jose Mourinho was furious with Anthony Taylor’s officiating in the Europa League final (Picture: Twitter)
Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has slammed Jose Mourinho for his abuse of English official Anthony Taylor and called for the Roma manager to be banned for six games.
Mouirnho was fiercely critical of the 44-year-old’s officiating during a fractious Europa League final which Roma lost on penalties against Sevilla.
The defeat represented Mourinho’s first in a European final and the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager lay the blame squarely at the feet of Taylor and his assistants.
Mourinho even continued his protestations after he post-match media duties were complete and harangued Taylor in the stadium car park, accusing him of being a f***ing crook’.
The 60-year-old’s antics prompted Roma fans to greet Taylor and his family at Budapest airport on Thursday with a barrage of abuse.
Offered no protection by UEFA, Taylor was spat at and a chair was launched in his direction after he had passed through security.
Responding to the footage on Twitter, Rio Ferdinand wrote: ‘Wow…I hope Anthony Taylor and his family are ok after that bull****.
‘How has he been left to walk without security – all of the authorities have to start thinking worst case scenarios the way things are. These thugs should be held accountable ASAP.’
Mark Halsey, who refereed in the Premier League for a decade, however, pointed the finger squarely at Mourinho for inviting a pile-on with his ‘indefensible’ histrionics.
He told The Sun: ‘Jose Mourinho’s X-rated attack on Anthony Taylor in the Budapest car park was indefensible. The post-match actions from Roma boss Mourinho by following Prem ref Taylor and other match officials were out of order, but the volley of abuse was even worse.
Jose Mourinho called Anthony Taylor a ‘crook’ after Roma’s defeat against Sevilla (Picture: Getty)
‘I have never seen that sort of appalling behaviour from a manager towards an official. As much as football people like Mourinho, you cannot chase officials after a match.
‘I can not understand what he was thinking. Where is the respect in questioning Taylor’s integrity by calling him Spanish in his post-match press conference? What message do his words and actions send to everyone watching around the world?
‘Uefa needs to take the strongest action and Mourinho as well as Roma and Sevilla should now be charged for their appalling conduct and failing to control their players.
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‘Fines and touchline bans are not a deterrent, so I hope Europe’s governing body acts. 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. I would deduct Sevilla and Roma three points from their next European campaigns with another three suspended for the rest of the group stage.
‘And I would also ban Mourinho — wherever he goes — for six games because of his unacceptable conduct.’
MORE : Jose Mourinho confronts Europa League officials in stadium car park and calls them ‘f***ing crooks’
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‘As much as football people like Mourinho, you cannot chase officials after a match.’