Mourinho Charged By FA Over Referee Comment

The Portuguese had questioned the ability for Taylor to officiate the match, adding that it would be difficult for the Manchester-based official to have “a very good performance” as he may have been put under “pressure”.

“I think Mr Taylor is a very good referee but because such pressure is being put on him I think it will be difficult for him to have a very good performance at Anfield,” he said.

“I don’t really want to say too much more on the matter. I have my view but I have learned a lesson, if you want to call it that, by being punished so many times for my words about referees.”

Mourinho had breached FA rules forbidding managers and players from commenting on officials before a game so as not to influence the official’s performance.

The United manager has until 31 October to respond to a charge of improper conduct and bringing the game into disrepute.

The FA statement read: “José Mourinho has been charged with misconduct in respect of comments he made relating to the appointed match referee, prior to the Liverpool v Manchester United fixture on Monday 17 October 2016.

“It is alleged his comments were improper and/or brought the game into disrepute contrary to FA Rule E3(1). Mr Mourinho has until 6pm on Monday 31 October 2016 to respond to the charge.”

Managers were banned from talking about officials in the run-up to matches in 2009 in an attempt to prevent their comment from influencing decisions.

Mourinho has been a serial offender with the FA disciplinary unit since his time in Chelsea. The Portuguese was given a one-match stadium ban and fined £40,000 in November after referee Jon Moss’ claimed he refused to leave the officials’ changing room and verbally abused him.

He was also fined £50,000 for claiming that referees were afraid to award penalties against his side (Chelsea), after the blues lost 3-1 to Southampton.