FA gives Mourinho until Friday to clarify ref comments

The English Football Association (FA) has given Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho until Friday to explain his remarks about referee Anthony Taylor.

Mourinho has until 6 p.m. GMT Friday to answer for comments made ahead of Monday's drab 1-1 draw between Liverpool and United at Anfield, where the Portuguese gaffer questioned Taylor's allegiance to his hometown Red Devils.

The FA forbids comments about referees in the buildup to matches, and despite the fact that Taylor is a season-ticket holder at non-league Altrincham, Mourinho was suspect of his ability to be impartial, saying, "I think Mr Taylor is a very good referee but because such pressure is being put on him, I think it will be difficult for him to have a very good performance at Anfield."

Mourinho added, "I don’t really want to say too much more on the matter. I have my view but I have learned a lesson, if you want to call it that, by being punished so many times for my words about referees."

If found guilty of contravening a rule introduced in 2009 to curb attempts by managers to influence or intimidate refs, the FA could impose a fine on Mourinho.

Former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was the first to be found guilty of the charge in May 2011 when he noted ahead of a heated tilt with Chelsea that official Howard Webb was "definitely the best referee in the country."