Jose Mourinho devises new ‘wire and microphone’ technique to protect himself from ‘horrible’ referees
Mourinho has clashed with referees multiple times this season.
Follow Us
Jose Mourinho has admitted to wearing a wire during AS Roma’s 0-0 draw with Monza on Wednesday night to protect himself in the case of a heated confrontation with the match officials. The Giallorossi remain outside the European places, with only five games remaining in Serie A.
Their European dreams suffered a dose of reality after the result. A magnificent first-half volley from Monza ace Luca Caldirola cancelled Stephan El Shaarawy’s early strike. Roma also had a player sent off in stoppage time, with Mehmet Zekielik being asked to leave the field for a full-blooded challenge. The decision left Mourinho enraged after the final whistle at the Stadio Brianteo.
The experienced Portuguese coach even acknowledged wearing a wire for his personal “protection” in the event of a conflict with the referee. “I am not st*pid. I went to the game vs Monza with a microphone & recorded everything from the moment I left the dressing room, until I returned – I had to protect myself.”
He then ripped into the match officials in his post-match press conference, giving a scathing assessment of their performance. “This was the worst referee I have encountered in my entire career,” fumed Mourinho. “Believe me; I have dealt with many bad referees. Usually, when I talk about referees, it is because they directly influence the game.
He continued: “In this case, I don’t think that is true. But he is horrible; he makes no human connection with anyone. He has no empathy; he gives a red card to a player who slips because he is exhausted in the 96th minute. I stopped working 20-30 minutes from the end. I knew he would give me a red card for anything. It’s horrible. With the few players I have in my squad, I could not get a red card.”
In case you missed it: Jude Bellingham to make dream debut in La Liga next season, could join Real Madrid any second
Jose Mourinho talks about Roma’s ‘weakness’
Mourinho appeared to be determined to avoid an argument with the referee against Monza in order to avoid being sent off. He claimed that Roma did not have the strength of other Italian clubs when it came to referees.
He said: “Unfortunately, it is Roma’s weakness as a club. Because we do not have the strength of other clubs, who can say we don’t want this referee. Roma either don’t have this capability or the DNA or anything else.”
This is not the first time Mourinho has clashed with the referees this season. The 60-year-old was embroiled in a heated argument with a fourth official during Cremonese’s defeat in February, . As a result of his role in the altercation, he was sent to the stands for the third time this season. However, Mourinho clashed with the official in the dressing room after the game, earning him a retrospective two-match ban.
Related News:
Stay Updated!
Anany Kapoor
(105 Articles Published)