José Mourinho’s Fenerbahce faced an early Champions League elimination last night and the Portuguese coach complained about VAR and referees mentioning Roma’s Europa League Final against Seville: ‘Watch it and you’ll understand the ifs.’
Mourinho raged at VAR and the referee after Fenerbahce’s early Champions League elimination in the third qualifying round at the hands of Lille on Tuesday.
The French side advanced thanks to a 3-2 aggregate win, with Jonathan David scoring the decisive goal last night. The Canada star converted a penalty kick at minute 118th, allowing his side to secure a 1-1 draw in the second leg in Istanbul.
Mourinho complains about early UCL exit by mentioning Roma’s UEL Final
“One team deserved to win and the other progressed. We hit the woodwork twice and we had many chances. Only the referee and VAR know why they gave that penalty,” Mou said at a press conference.
“If…I don’t want to say the rest, I prefer to stay on the ifs…but we can do a great Europa League, if, if, if…We can do a great Europa League with if. I cannot speak more than the if. If not, I am in trouble.
“If you want to know more about the ifs, I invite you to watch Roma-Sevilla in the Europa League Final 2022-23 and you will understand the ifs.”
Mourinho’s Roma lost the 2022-23 Europa League Final on penalties, but referee Anthony Taylor rejected their appeal for a penalty kick in the second half.
After that match, Mourinho received a four-match ban as he waited for the English official inside the stadium’s garage where he continued to protest and insult him.
Mourinho was sacked by Roma in January 2024 and hired by Fenerbahce earlier this summer.