Jose Mourinho is far from being an understated manager and his Europa League final antics upset many within the game, inlcuding the officials on the night and now one former Liverpool man who has spoken out. Taking to his Twitter account, Sander Westerveld wrote: ‘This is what I mean.. Referee Taylor and his wife attacked by Roma fan at the airport today.. Also very strange that the UEFA doesn’t protects their own referees..’.
We know, having watch Jurgen Klopp berate fourth officials and linesmen, that emotions can take over and in huge games it’s even worse but this certainly does set a bad example. There needs to be a balance between better refereeing to stop these reactions, more respect shown from players, managers and back room staff and firmer punishments on officials and staff when they are in the wrong. Until then, we will see more instances like the abhorrent scenes the Wythenshawe-born referee experienced.