Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has been charged with misconduct by the FA after his controversial comments regarding referee Anthony Taylor prior to United’s Premier League clash with Liverpool earlier this month.
Mourinho had claimed that Taylor would it find it impossible to do a good job in Monday’s high-octane encounter between Manchester United and Liverpool after he was lambasted by Kop fans since he was confirmed as the referee last week.
Mourinho had questioned the logic of appointing Taylor, who lives just 6 miles away from Old Trafford and is also reported to be a Red Devils fan, in duty for Man United’s high-voltage clash against Liverpool at Anfield earlier this month.
The Football Association had been scrutinizing Mouriho’s controversial comments regarding referee Anthony Taylor on October 17, and now Mourinho is likely to face a ban, heavy fine or warning about future conduct.
Mourinho has until 6pm on Monday to respond to the charge.
Speaking ahead of the Premier League clash at Anfield, Mourinho had said: “I have my view, but I learned a lesson by being so many times punished by some words, so I don’t want to say anything about it.”
“I think Mr Taylor is a very good referee, but I think somebody with intention is putting such a pressure on him that I feel it will be difficult for him to have a very good performance.”
Earlier, Mourinho got into trouble last season when then Blues manager had claimed that the referees succumbed to pressure and fear and did not award his team penalties, which handed him a hefty fine and a one-match stadium ban.
The high-octane clash between Man United and Liverpool ended in a frustrating stalemate and according to football pundits Taylor had done a good job. According to rules set down by the FA, players and managers are prohibited from making any comments about the match officials before matches in a manner which could influence their performance. And now the FA has decided to take action Mourinho broke the rules.
A statement from English football’s governing body read: “Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been charged with misconduct, in respect of comments he made relating to the appointed match referee prior to the Liverpool FC v Manchester United FC fixture on Monday 17 October 2016.
“It is alleged his comments were improper and/or brought the game into disrepute contrary to FA Rule E3(1). Mr Mourinho has until 6pm on Monday 31 October 2016 to respond to the charge.”