“I can’t speak” – Mourinho criticises referee after defeat

Jose Mourinho said he “cannot speak” about refereeing decisions that he said led to Fenerbahce’s elimination from the Champions League.

Mourinho is convinced that his team can go far in the Europa League – from which it will now be relegated – if the quality of the referees improves.

Fenerbahce's chances of progressing in the Champions League were ended on Tuesday when opponents Lille were awarded a penalty for handball in the 118th minute following a review by the video assistant referee (VAR).

Jonathan David converted the shot to secure a 1-1 draw and give Lille a 3-2 aggregate victory in the third qualifying round.

This means that Mourinho's team will play in the Europa League next season, a trophy he won with Manchester United in 2017 after winning it with Porto in its previous edition, the UEFA Cup, in 2003.

“We would never win the Champions League. We would never reach the final of the Champions League. Never,” said Mourinho.

“But we're going to the Europa League and the Europa League if – if – I don't want to say the rest. I'd rather stick to the ifs.”

Fenerbahce, who were 2-1 down in the first leg, were forced into extra time in Istanbul after Bafode Diakite scored an own goal in stoppage time before David's penalty.

Mourinho added: “If we can play a great Europa League. If, if, if. But we can play a great Europa League, even with if. I can't say more than the if. If not, I'm in trouble.”

When asked what he meant by “if,” Mourinho referred to the defeat he suffered with his former club Roma in the 2023 Europa League final against Sevilla. After the game, he angrily confronted referee Anthony Taylor in the parking lot.

“If you want to know more about the ifs, I invite you to watch the 2022-23 Europa League final between Roma and Sevilla, then you will understand the ifs,” he added.

Mourinho's choice of words was similar to an interview the Portuguese coach gave during his second term at Chelsea in 2014.

After the 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa, in which two Chelsea players were sent off, Mourinho said: “I prefer not to speak. If I speak, I am in big trouble. In big trouble. And I don't want to be in big trouble.”

Mourinho was appointed Fenerbahce coach in June after being sacked by Roma in January.

DISCLAIMER: The views, comments, opinions, posts and statements of readers and contributors on this platform do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Multimedia Group Limited.