Mourinho Criticizes Referee After Fenerbahçe Loss

Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahçe faced a heartbreaking exit from the Champions League following a dramatic 118th-minute penalty awarded to Lille, resulting in a 3-2 aggregate defeat. The penalty decision, which came after VAR intervention for handball by defender Jayden Oosterwolde, left Mourinho visibly frustrated as he echoed a famous past rant, stating, "We can do very well in the Europa League, but if... I prefer not to continue with this sentence." Despite the disappointment, Mourinho expressed optimism for their Europa League campaign, referencing past successes in the competition. He criticized the officiating, emphasizing that only the referee and VAR understood the reasoning behind the penalty call. Mourinho's remarks about refereeing standards reflect his ongoing concerns about officiating consistency, reminiscent of his previous outbursts during his tenure at Chelsea. The defeat marks another setback in Mourinho's quest for European glory with Fenerbahçe, as he prepares to navigate the challenges of the Europa League ahead.