Explained: Why Jose Mourinho resigned from his UEFA post

Jose Mourinho vs UEFA

Explained: Why Jose Mourinho resigned from his UEFA post

Joba Ogunwale 16:35 - 24.06.2023

Mourinho was appointed as one of the sporting personalities on UEFA’s football advisory board, but the Roma manager has now quit his position.

This week, AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho was on the news again for two different reasons, and both had to do with the European football governing body, UEFA. 

Mourinho first made the headlines after he was handed a four-match ban by UEFA for his conduct following Roma’s Europa League final defeat against Sevilla last month. 

The Portuguese tactician then found himself in the news again after deciding to step down from his role as part of UEFA football board. 

Mourinho’s decision to resign from his role was a response to the four-match ban he received from UEFA earlier in the week. 

With that being said, Pulse Sports take a look at the reasons behind Mourinho’s decision to resign from UEFA’s football board. 

What is UEFA Football Board? 

Before we get into the reasons, let’s establish what the UEFA Football Board is all about. The UEFA football board is a group created in April to solve issues that surround the beautiful game. 

It was created earlier this year and approved by UEFA Executive Committee. 

Mourinho and Ancelotti are one of the few coaches on UEFA Football Board.
Mourinho and Ancelotti

The group consists of former footballers and coaches, with Mourinho among one of the few coaches included.  Their mission was to look at issues affecting football, from officiating to laws of the game. 

Why did Mourinho then resign? 

In the letter he addressed to Zvonimir Boban- the head of the board- Mourinho stated that he no longer believes in the conditions set and has decided to resign. 

Mourinho’s letter read- “In thanking you for the invitation you extended to me to be a member of the UEFA football board, I regret to inform you that, effective immediately, I will be renouncing my participation in this group.

Mourinho has left his UEFA role after he was banned for four matches
Jose Mourinho banned after insulting Anthony Taylor

“The conditions which I so strongly believed in when I joined are no longer standing and I felt the obligation to take this decision.

“I kindly ask that you also communicate my decision to the President Mr. Aleksander Ceferin.”

While Mourinho did not clearly state the condition he is not happy with, it probably has to do with the way UEFA handled his case against England referee Anthony Taylor. 

The former Chelsea manager was aggrieved with the performance of the English official, who was the man in the middle for Roma’s Europa League final against Sevilla last month. 

Although Roma only lost the tie on penalties, Mourinho was incensed with some of Taylor’s decisions in the match, especially after the English official failed to award Roma a penalty after Sevilla handled in the box. 

Following the match, Mourinho criticised the performance of Taylor in his press conference. But it did not stop there as Mourinho launched verbal insults at the referee at the car park. 

His behaviour prompted UEFA to act and hand him a four-match ban. As a result, Mourinho feels it is only right to leave the UEFA football board as he probably believes his opinion will not make officiating of the beautiful game improve. 

Also, there are reports that Mourinho and UEFA President Aleksandar Ceferin have a strained relationship, which was why he addressed the letter to Boban. 

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