Mourinho hopes VAR decisions vs. Rangers are ‘not a consequence’ of Roma Final

José Mourinho was unhappy with the officiating in Rangers-Fenerbahce and hoped VAR decisions would ‘not be a consequence’ of the Budapest Final he had lost while in charge of Roma.

The 2023 Europa League Final is still haunting ex-Roma coach Mourinho.

During a post-match press conference last night, the Special One mentioned the game lost on penalties to Sevilla nearly two years ago.

Mourinho’s Fenerbahce had just been eliminated on penalties by Rangers, but the Portuguese coach was highly unhappy with the officiating.

“The only thing for me is that I hope everything that’s happened to me in European competitions is not a consequence of the Budapest final and I hope it’s just random,” he said via BBC.

“Since that final, since my suspension, the things that happened to us – we didn’t play Champions League because of a penalty on 120th-minute that only the fourth official saw.

“Today, we come here and the VAR is considered one of the best VARs. He didn’t see one of three penalties. I just hope it’s random. I paid for the suspension and I hope that it’s over. I pray that this is just bad luck.”

Mourinho confronted referee Anthony Taylor in the stadium’s parking in Budapest after losing the 2023 Europa League Final.

Taylor had ignored the Giallorossi’s penalty kick appeal for a Fernando handball at the end of the second half.

Mourinho was sacked by Roma midway through the following campaign and replaced by Daniele De Rossi.

Later last year, Mourinho admitted that he should have left Roma after the 2023 Europa League Final defeat.