Mourinho admits he 'wore a wire' for protection against 'the worst referee I've ever met'

Mourinho made the startling revelation after a 1-1 Serie A draw with Monza on Wednesday night, while he also called referee Daniele Chiffi the 'worst he's ever seen'.

Advertisement

The astonishing rant came after the Giallorossi slumped to a three-game winless league run, which could see them trade a top four finish for lower level European competition.

The former Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid manager has had a number of run-ins with officials this season, but went on a tirade against Chiffi.

Advertisement

"I'm not stupid, you know," Mourinho said post-match. "Today, I went to the game with a microphone. I recorded everything.

"From the moment I left the locker room, to the moment I returned. I protected myself.

"He is the worst referee I have met in my life," Mourinho said. "He is the worst. Technically he's horrible. Zero empathy. Zero communication. Zero awareness.

"A second yellow to a guy who slipped in the 96th minute… I stopped talking 20-30 minutes from the end because I knew he would give me a red card for anything. I didn't give him the opportunity, I decided no, that's enough.

Advertisement

Advertisement

"It's the limit of Roma as a club that doesn't have the strength of others to say 'We don't want this referee'. There are teams who say they don't want a referee, Roma don't have that strength."

In response to the comments, the FIGC [Italian Football Federation] has opened an investigation, which could see Mourinho banned from upcoming crucial matches.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Italian Football Managers' Association, Renzo Ulivieri, has strongly condemned the Portuguese, while backing the officials.

"The Italian coaches are on the side of the referees, without ifs and buts," Ulivieri said.

"Without Mourinho, I would like to comment, but there is not much to joke about.

Advertisement

"Jose Mourinho's statements are serious and unacceptable. In particular, admitting that he went to the bench with a microphone to record the conversations between him and the refereeing group.

"Justifying a choice he defined as defensive, even as a mere hypothesis, is an action that undermines the foundations of the entire system.

"It is not a question of fueling any personal opposition. Just a month ago the AIAC applauded Mourinho for his gesture to his fans in support of [Dejan] Stankovic, who was being insulted.

"This is the image we would like a coach of such charisma to cultivate. A quality that must enhance our sense of responsibility towards him."