Jose Mourinho has criticised the decision to deduct Juventus 10 points with just two games of the 2022-23 Serie A season remaining and suggested the way his Roma side approached matches would have changed had the verdict been delivered earlier.
Juventus were docked 10 points by the FIGC’s Federal Court of Appeal on Monday in the latest progression in their case regarding past transfer dealings. The club, who have denied any wrongdoing, were accused of fixing their balance sheets by inflating transfer fees.
The points deduction sees Juventus drop from second to seventh in Serie A and means sixth-placed Roma still have an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League.
But Mourinho told DAZN: “It’s a joke to know this with two games remaining. For us and everyone, even for Juventus.
“Our approach would have been different if we had known before the games with Monza and Bologna. I am sorry for (Massimiliano) Allegri and his players, but at the league level, I have to say that it changes things a little.”
When asked if it meant the season was warped, Mourinho replied: “To me, yes, but I no longer want to talk about this. I am sorry for professionals who work like me because they pay for errors that directors and maybe the club did.”
Mourinho rotated his side for Serie A fixtures against Monza and Bologna in May, and Roma were held to a draw in both fixtures.
Monday’s 2-2 draw with Salernitana means Mourinho’s side sit four points behind AC Milan in the league’s final Champions League spot with two games remaining.
Should they finish outside the top four, Roma can still qualify for next season’s Champions League if they beat Sevilla in the Europa League final.
(Photo: Getty Images)
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