Roma boss Jose Mourinho avoids ban for calling ref unstable

Roma coach José Mourinho escaped a touchline ban after cooperating with the Italian football federation's disciplinary prosecutor and was fined only 20,000 euros ($22,000) on Friday ) for calling a referee unstable.

Ahead of a recent match against Sassuolo, Mourinho questioned the abilities of referee Matteo Marcenaro.

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“We've had him three times as fourth official and I don't think he has the emotional stability for matches of this level,” Mourinho said.

During the same press conference, Mourinho attacked Sassuolo striker Domenico Berardi, saying the player “exaggerates fouls to draw yellow cards”.

Mourinho later said his Italian was not proficient enough to explain certain concepts.

Roma were also ordered to pay a fine of €20,000 ($22,000), with the club and Mourinho's money earmarked for medical research.

Mourinho was suspended for two matches at the start of this campaign for comments about a referee at the end of last season. He was also suspended for four matches by UEFA in June for insulting the referee of the Europa League final in the stadium garage after Roma's defeat to Sevilla.