Webb: Mourinho should be punished for ref talk

Daniel Storey

Howard Webb believes Jose Mourinho should be sanctioned by the Football Association for mind games over the appointment of Anthony Taylor as the referee for Manchester United’s draw at Liverpool.

United boss Mourinho has been asked to provide his observations to the FA by the close of business on Friday after responding to a question about Manchester-based Taylor’s selection for the Anfield Premier League clash, which ended goalless. The FA will then consider its response, which is expected next week.

Managers, players and club officials have been prohibited from commenting on officials prior to a match since a new rule was introduced in 2009.

And Webb, the 2010 World Cup final referee, believes it is only right that that regulation is in place.

“The comments of Jose Mourinho before the game were not particularly inflammatory,” Webb told Press Association Sport.

“It just adds oxygen to that debate, which is not helpful. He (Mourinho) knows that as well.

“Words sometimes can have an impact. That’s why it’s important that the FA are rigorous with their rules that managers who speak about referees before a game are sanctioned, even when it’s said in a way that’s less than inflammatory.”

Webb says it is not possible to avoid such pre-match comments and, while officials remain neutral, the discussion might have a subconscious impact.

“People who talk about these things are trying to affect the subconscious mind. Undoubtedly Anthony Taylor would’ve had things in his mind. He would’ve been aware of what had been said.

“He would be aware that there was extra pressure on him, which wasn’t helpful.

“It was fairly significant. I can’t remember as much talk about a referee before a game for quite some time as there was involving Anthony Taylor’s appointment for Man U-Liverpool.”