London, May 9: Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho was fined $16,900 by the English Football Association after he made improper comments about match officials.
Mourinho sarcastically described referee Mike Dean’s performance as “unbelievable” and “fantastic” as his side lost 2-1 to Sunderland in an April 19 Premier League match.
“What they are doing during the whole season is fantastic, especially in the last couple of months, especially in matches involving the teams that were in the title race,” said Mourinho. “It’s absolutely fantastic”.
His assistant Rui Faria was sent to the stands and later given a six-match stadium ban.
The FA Thursday found that Mourinho’s comments did not question the officials’ integrity but amounted to disrepute and improper conduct.
Mourinho lost his 77-match unbeaten home record in the Premier League to Sunderland, and the defeat proved costly in Chelsea’s bid to win the Premier League title.