Roma manager Jose Mourinho has been issued a 10-day suspension by the Italian Football Association (FIGC) as a consequence of his comments regarding referee Daniele Chiffi.
The 60-year-old Portuguese coach referred to Chiffi as “the worst referee I have met in my life” following a match against Monza on 3 May.
In addition to the suspension, Mourinho has been fined €50,000 (£43,000). The Italian FA said Mourinho will serve “10 days of disqualification starting from the first day of the next relevant championship”.
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The incident occurred when Chiffi sent off Roma player Mehmet Zeki Celik in the sixth minute of stoppage time during a 1-1 Serie A draw at U-Power Stadium. Mourinho, who had received a yellow card during the match, revealed that he had been wearing a microphone to “protect” himself.
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This disciplinary action adds to Mourinho’s contentious relationship with match officials last season, as he received three red cards for disputes with referees, including one from Chiffi during a loss to Atalanta in September.
Despite the tumultuous moments on the touchline, Roma finished sixth in Serie A and reached the final of the UEFA Europa League, where they were runners-up after losing in a penalty shootout against Sevilla.
The new Serie A campaign is scheduled to commence on the weekend of August 19-20, with Mourinho set to serve his suspension during the early stages of the season.
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