Top ex-ref calls for Jose Mourinho punishment: He’s not happy about Liverpool comments

[RoterTeufel]

Top ex-ref calls for Jose Mourinho punishment: He’s not happy about Liverpool comments


 
HOWARD WEBB believes Jose Mourinho should be sanctioned by the FA for his mind games ahead of Manchester United's clash at Liverpool.
 
 Mourinho spoke out over the appointment of Mancunian referee Anthony Taylor prior to the drab Premier League draw on Monday night.
 
 Managers, players and club officials have been prohibited from commenting on officials before a match and Webb believes Mourinho was wrong to make his comments.
 
 Webb, who refereed the 2010 World Cup final, said: "The comments of Jose Mourinho before the game were not particularly inflammatory.
 
 "It just adds oxygen to that debate, which is not helpful. He (Mourinho) knows that as well.
 
 "Words sometimes can have an impact. That's why it's important that the FA are rigorous with their rules that managers who speak about referees before a game are sanctioned, even when it's said in a way that's less than inflammatory."
 
 Webb knows it's impossible to avoid such pre-match talk and says such quotes might have a negative impact on the neutral officials.
 
 "People who talk about these things are trying to affect the subconscious mind," added Webb, who retired from refereeing after the 2014 World Cup.
 
 "Undoubtedly Anthony Taylor would've had things in his mind. He would've been aware of what had been said.
 
 "He would be aware that there was extra pressure on him, which wasn't helpful.
 
 "It was fairly significant. I can't remember as much talk about a referee before a game for quite some time as there was involving Anthony Taylor's appointment for Manchester United v Liverpool."
 
 Webb does however believe Mourinho is good for the English game.
 
 He said: "He is a challenge to the establishment, he is a challenge to referees as well; colleagues in Spain and Italy have said similar things.
 
 "(And) when the team doesn't perform he'll look for other opportunities to detract attention and sometimes that is towards the officials.
 
 "(But) I like Mourinho being in the English game. He's a benefit to the league."