Jose Mourinho has openly expressed his frustration with UEFA, asserting that he has been subjected to unfair treatment by the organization ever since the 2023 Europa League final.
The controversy dates back to AS Roma’s loss to Sevilla in the final, where Mourinho’s team fell short in a penalty shootout. Following the defeat, Mourinho faced a heated altercation with referee Anthony Taylor, which ultimately led to UEFA imposing a four-match ban on him.
Mourinho, who now manages Fenerbahce, believes that this incident during his tenure with the Italian club has marked the beginning of what he describes as his “trouble in Europe.” He feels that this perceived treatment has continued to affect him in subsequent UEFA competitions.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Mourinho shared his perspective, stating, “I don’t want special treatment, just honest treatment. If I do something wrong, punish me, but if I don’t, leave me in peace.”
Mourinho continued, emphasizing the challenges he has faced since the Budapest final and stating, “Since that Budapest final, it’s been difficult.”
In his latest European outing, Mourinho received a straight red card last week during Fenerbahce’s Europa League match against Manchester United. This latest incident only seemed to add fuel to Mourinho’s call for a more consistent approach by officials in how they handle managers across Europe.
The former Manchester United boss highlighted the importance of equality in officiating, stating, “It doesn’t matter if you’re Ancelotti or a young coach just starting out. We all should follow the same rules.” Mourinho’s comments reflect his hope for standardized officiating practices that apply uniformly to managers, regardless of their status or experience level.