June 12 – AS Roma coach José Mourinho has claimed that referee Anthony Taylor “seemed Spanish” following his club’s Europa League final defeat on penalties against Sevilla. The Portuguese however left his future in the Italian capital with Roma up in the air.
The English referee had a difficult time controlling the match as the Italian bench contested every single decision by the officials with Mourinho leading the chorus, agitated and animated throughout the 146 minutes that it took for the teams to get to the penalty shoutout.
With AS Roma and Sevilla demonstrating their mastery of the dark arts, Taylor cautioned 13 players as well as 3 Roma staff, a record in European club finals. Petulant, Roma constantly badgered the referee.
“We go home dead for an injustice,” said Mourinho. “But it was a great match, a great final. The referee seemed Spanish, with many yellow cards. It’s an injustice. Since he’s so good, let’s hope next year he does all his shit in the Champions League and not referees in Europe League.”
With the defeat, Roma missed their chance to claim back-to-back European titles after they won the maiden edition of the Europa Conference League last season. It also means they miss out on a slot in next season’s Champions.
Mourinho’s proud record of having won all his European club finals also came to an end. He first won the UEFA Cup in 2003 when his Porto side defeated Celtic.
The Portuguese remains deeply popular in the Italian capital, but it is unclear if he will continue with Roma.
“I have to fight for these guys and it also means not saying objectively I’m staying,” said Mourinho.
“I’m a serious man, I told the owners a few months ago that if I had contact with other clubs they would be the first to know, I wouldn’t do anything secretly, I’m direct and honest. I spoke to the Portuguese national team in December. I haven’t had any other contact. I still have a year of contract with Roma, this is the situation.”
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