Sunday 16 October 2016 19:14, UK
The FA is to look into comments Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has made about referee Anthony Taylor. ahead of Monday night's clash with Liverpool.
Taylor is based in Manchester and, despite the fact he supports non-league Altrincham, former ref Keith Hackett said last week he felt his appointment for the high-profile match, live on Sky Sports 1 HD, would place him under pressure.
And, ahead of the Anfield fixture, Mourinho said of Taylor: "I have my view, but I learned a lesson by being so many times punished by some words, so I don't want to say anything about it.
"I think Mr Taylor is a very good referee but I think somebody with intention is putting such a pressure on him that I feel that it will be difficult for him to have a very good performance."
Managers and players are not allowed to make any comments which could be viewed as intimidating or influential about the appointed match officials before a game, in the light of rules introduced in 2009.
And the FA's governance department is looking at Mourinho's comments and will contact the United boss for his observations if they believe there is a case to answer.
An FA statement at the time of the introduction of the new rules said: "Clubs are being advised that any media comments by managers, players or any other club officials relating to appointed match officials prior to a fixture will no longer be allowed - such pre-match comments will be deemed improper and dealt with accordingly."
