Jose Mourinho's Roma were denied a crucial three points in their quest to secure Champions League football next season when they were held to a goalless draw by Genoa in Serie A on Saturday.
The charismatic Portuguese believed his side had done enough to claim victory in a tight encounter at the Stadio Olympico when Nicolò Zaniolo fired home on the stroke of the 90-minute mark.
Mourinho's joy soon turned to anger, however, as Zaniolo's effort was controversially ruled out following an on-field VAR review of a Tammy Abraham challenge on Genoa's Johan Vasque in the build-up to the goal.
In truth, Genoa were fortunate to get that reprieve. The incident took place well before Zaniolo put the ball in the net and Roma were understandably aggrieved at being denied a winner.
Nobody was more unhappy than the goalscorer, who was shown a straight red card for dissent towards referee Rosario Abisso after the goal was chalked off.
It was a crazy few minutes and you can check out all the action below.
Watch: Nicolò Zaniolo is sent off for Roma after being denied a late winner vs Genoa
Mourinho made his way on to the pitch to usher his man to the touchline after his dismissal, but had plenty to say once the final whistle had been blown.
"I spoke to the referee, because in my opinion he got it wrong," Mourinho told the assembled media at his post-match press conference, per Football Italia.
"Do you think if Zaniolo played for Inter, Juventus or Milan, the same situation would’ve developed? He hasn’t been given a penalty all season, he gets fouled constantly, he opens his mouth and is automatically booked. He’s had seven or eight yellow cards and two red, a creative player like Zaniolo.
“Today Zaniolo was sent off because he said three times to Mr Abisso: ‘Why the hell did you whistle?’ He said it three times in a row, but it was not an insult.
ROME, ITALY - FEBRUARY 05: Jose Mourinho of AS Roma gestures during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Genoa CFC at Stadio Olimpico on February 5, 2022 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
"If I am a referee, after someone celebrates at the 90th minute, sees the goal disallowed, is naturally frustrated, you can book him and that’s that."
Mourinho then extended his criticism to the governors of Italian football as a whole, hinting at a conspiracy against his team.
"Do you think that red card would’ve been given, for example, to Lautaro Martinez for Inter at San Siro? Or Giorgio Chiellini in the Juventus Stadium? Or Zlatan Ibrahimovic at San Siro?
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"This is where we are, we are considered a small club. Maybe it’s not even his fault, maybe the referee is just following the guidelines he is given for modern football by the professors in charge."
Roma remain four points behind fourth-place Atalanta in the race for a Champions League spot after the stalemate, but Mourinho could well be hearing more from Serie A chiefs, with officials likely to take a dim view of his post-match accusations.
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