FA to look at Mourinho’s comments about Taylor
Date published: Sunday 16th October 2016 3:46
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho’s comments about the appointment of referee Anthony Taylor for the Red Devils’ match at Liverpool on Monday are to be looked at by the Football Association.
The Portuguese was asked about Manchester-based Taylor – he is registered with the Cheshire FA – being given the game after Keith Hackett, former head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited body, criticised the move.
Hackett said he felt it placed undue pressure on the official.
“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 that it will be difficult for him to have a very good performance,” Mourinho said.
Suspect Martin Atkinson may have just as hard a job as Taylor at Anfield on Monday. Fourth official for Klopp v Mourinho.
— Andy Kelly (@AndyK_LivNews) October 10, 2016
Press Association Sport understands the FA’s governance team will study those comments and may subsequently wish to contact the United boss for his observations.
New rules were introduced in 2009 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 pre-match comments will be deemed improper and dealt with accordingly.”
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