The Football Association is set to look into Jose Mourinho’s comments, about the appointment of referee Anthony Taylor, for Manchester United game against Liverpool on Monday.
Former head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited body, Keith Hackett, had criticized the decision to appoint Manchester-based Taylor.
Mourinho told Sunday newspapers that Taylor had been put under pressure ahead of the match.
“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,” Mourinho said.
“I have my view but I understood and I learned a lesson by being punished so many times for some words so I don’t want to say anything [more] about it.”
The Portuguese, who has been fined several times for his comments about match officials, might be contacted by the FA for his latest remarks, according to Press Association Sport.
In 2009, new rules were introduced, in an attempt to crack down on pre-match comments about officials, which could be viewed as intimidatory or influential.
In its statement at the time, the FA said: “Clubs are being advised that any media comments by managers, players or any other club officials relating to appointed match officials prior to a fixture will no longer be allowed – such prematch comments will be deemed improper and dealt with accordingly.”
Comments