Jeff Stelling demands ‘strongest possible punishment’ for Mourinho after shocking footage of Anthony Taylor being mobbed
JEFF STELLING has demanded that Jose Mourinho gets the “strongest possible punishment” for his part in the “disgraceful” abuse and attacks on Anthony Taylor.
English referee Taylor took charge of the Europa League final between the Italian side and Sevilla.
The Spanish side won the trophy after a tense 1-1 draw was followed by a 4-1 penalty shootout.
But Taylor infuriated Roma fans when he gave Sevilla’s Gonzalo Montiel another chance to take his winning penalty after he correctly adjudged Roma goalkeeper Rui Patricio to have come off his line.
The official also denied Roma two penalty kicks in the game, waving away the passionate protests of the Italians.
Taylor also dished out 13 yellow cards to players and handed one to Mourinho.
Former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham manager Mourinho was fuming with the decisions and lashed out at the official in the stadium car park afterwards and branded him a “f***ing disgrace”.
An the anger towards Taylor shockingly continued as he and his family were disgracefully ambushed by a mob of angry Roma fans as he entered the airport ahead of leaving Hungary.
At one moment, a water bottle was thrown towards Taylor, narrowly missing a woman who was close to tears, causing him to look around nervously.
After he was taken into the safety of a different room, one fan even lobbed a chair towards the police standing guard.
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PGMOL released a statement in light of the footage as the organisation admitted to being “appalled at the unjustified and abhorrent abuse” aimed at Taylor.
Refs Support UK also took to social media to air its concerns about the treatment Taylor and his family have suffered.
Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand replied to the tweet as he said that the “thugs” involved need to be “held accountable”.
Now Stelling, who last week bid an emotional farewell to Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday, has called for the Special One to receive the “strongest possible punishment” for his role in the “disgraceful” episode.
He tweeted: “Jose Mourinho actions and words contributed massively to the disgraceful behaviour towards Antony Taylor.
“He is a repeat repeat repeat offender . Needs the strongest possible punishment.”
Ex-Premier League ref Mark Halsey has called for Mourinho to get at least a six-game ban for his actions.
Mourinho has a long history of clashes with officials, including serving a two-match ban for accusing Swede Anders Frisk of allowing Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard into his dressing room at half-time during a contentious Champions League game against Chelsea in 2005.
He was also sent off for the third time this season during Roma’s 2-1 defeat at Cremonese in Serie A in February and received a fine and two-game suspension.