Damir Skomina named Europa League final referee.. who Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has slammed in the past
Slovenian whistler Skomina is considered one of the best in the business and has been booked for clash with Ajax on May 24
MANCHESTER UNITED’S Europa League final will be reffed by Damir Skomina – who Jose Mourinho once branded “weak and naive”.
Slovenian whistler Skomina is considered one of the best in the business and has been booked by Uefa for the Stockholm clash with Ajax on May 24.
And United’s hopes of a first European trophy in nine years – and Champions League football – could hinge on the decisions of the 40-year-old.
Keep up to date with all the latest news, gossip, rumours and done deals in SunSport’s live transfer blog
The Special One let rip at Skomina after Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Dynamo Kiev in October 2015.
Mourinho was furious Skomina turned down a penalty shout when Cesc Fabregas was brought down in a goalless draw in Ukraine.
He fumed: “The referee was weak and naive with the penalty.
“I cannot understand what the referee behind the goal does because he doesn’t make a clear decision too.
“Against Porto (in the previous game) it was in the last minute, a decision crucial for the result.
“This was not in the last minute but it was still a key development.
“I don’t know, the referee didn’t see it or decided not to give it.”
Mourinho then compared Skomina to under-fire rugby ref Craig Joubert whose cock-up cost Scotland a World Cup semi-final three days earlier.
He added: “The referee was very good. I think he made one mistake.
“In the rugby world cup, the referee in the Scotland game was very good but made one mistake.
“And that mistake cost Scotland their chance.”
Skomina has been an international ref since 2003 and has officiated six Champions League matches this season.
He was also the man in the middle for England’s humiliating Euro 2016 defeat to Iceland.
