Referee who Jose had public spat with 'sacked' after comments to Roma boss

An Italian referee has reportedly been sacked following a bust-up with Jose Mourinho.

Marco Serra was the fourth official when Mourinho was sent off during Roma’s shock defeat to Cremonese in February. The former Chelsea and Tottenham boss was sent to the stands for allegedly swearing at officials. Following the match, an irate Mourinho threatened to take legal action against Serra.

“I am emotional, but not crazy,” he raged at the time. “In order to react the way I did, something had to happen first.

“I need to understand if I can take any legal action. [Referee Marco] Piccinini gave me a red card, because unfortunately the fourth official does not have the capacity to understand what he said to me.

“For the first time in my career, a fourth official spoke to me in the most incredible way. It was unjustifiable.”

When asked what Serra had said to him, Mourinho cryptically replied: “I prefer for everything to be done in public.”

But it was reported in Italian media that after Mourinho had asked for an explanation for a decision, Serra responded by saying “mind your own f**king business”.

It is now being reported by Sky Italia that Serra has been sacked for “justified technical reasons”.

Speaking in March, Serra was adamant he had done nothing to upset Mourinho.

“I haven’t said anything that could offend Mourinho. I didn’t say those words. At that moment, I said something else,” insisted Serra.

“I said, you’re making the stadium turn against you. Go to the area, go to the area [in the stand].”

Meanwhile, at the end of last season, Mourinho hinted he will stay with Roma amid uncertainty over his contract situation and links with Paris Saint-Germain, who are looking for a new manager.