Football

Football   |   March 17, 2023

Fourth official Serra apologizes to Mourinho over ‘imperfect behaviour’ during Roma-Cremonese game

Serie A referee Marco Serra, who was at the receiving end of a furious outburst from AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho, has admitted to partly being in the wrong during the incident, even apologising for his ‘imperfect behaviour’ with the stalwart Portuguese tactician. 

The incident between the two gentlemen took place during AS Roma’s game against relegation-threatened Cremonese on March 1, when they lost 2-1. Roma would go into the half-time break trailing 1-0 against the lowly side. Enhance your Serie A watching experience with the best betting odds from Empire777.

After the resumption, Mourinho would have an intense discussion with fourth official Marco Serra, which quickly turned sour, causing a spat between the two men. Mourinho was dismissed from pitchside for excessive argument by referee Marco Piccinini, forcing the two-time Champions League winning manager to watch the remainder of the contest from the stands of the Stadio Giovanni Zini. 

The altercation would not end there, as Mourinho continued arguing with the officials even in the dressing room after the game. Mourinho would, as a result, be fined €10,000 and was also handed a two-match ban for his antics. 

“For having contested a refereeing decision in a forceful and provocative manner in the second minute of the second half and repeating this behaviour at the time of the sending off. Furthermore, for entering the referees’ dressing room and addressing the fourth official with offensive expressions and inferences at the end of the match.” a Serie A statement said.

The former Manchester United manager missed important games against Juventus and Sassuolo on March 6 and March 12 respectively. The inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League champs came up on top against Juventus but lost an entertaining game 4-3 to Sassuolo. 

Nevertheless, Serra has apologised to the veteran for his “imperfect behaviour” in the game and said that he would like to move past the incident. However, he maintained that he was ‘technically flawless’ with regards to the decision. 

“Serra said he understood that his attitude, technically flawless, could be misunderstood and may have made Mourinho annoyed. I asked, for technical reasons, that the story end here. I would like it to end with a handshake between two gentlemen.” Serra’s legal counsel Gabriele Bordoni said. Follow Empire777 Sports to get the latest updates from the Serie A.