Wednesday 16 November 2016 19:56, UK
Jose Mourinho was fined £50,000 after putting "an additional layer of pressure" on referee Anthony Taylor before Manchester United's Premier League game at Liverpool last month, an independent commission ruled.
Mourinho was fined following comments to the media prior to the clash at Anfield, which ended in a 0-0 draw.
The United manager was asked about the referee during a pre-match interview and answered: "I don't want to say anything about it, but I think Mr Taylor is a very good referee.
"But I think somebody with intention, is putting much pressure on him, that I feel it will be difficult for him to have a very good performance."
Mourinho accepted his comments constituted improper conduct, but denied they brought the game into disrepute.
But a panel, chaired by former Republic of Ireland midfielder Gareth Farrelly, unanimously disagreed with Mourinho's denial, on the balance of probabilities.
"Despite saying that he did not want to say anything, he contradicts himself by offering actual comment on the match official," the commission concluded.
"This opinion, his opinion, was that he felt it would be difficult for Anthony Taylor to have a very good performance. There was no need for Mr Mourinho to be drawn into offering an opinion.
"The regulatory commission considered this opinion to bring an additional layer of pressure and implication onto the referee, which could have had a negative impact on the game."
The independent panel noted that Taylor's performance "appeared to have been unaffected by this additional pressure" but dismissed Mourinho's claim that his remarks were not intended to be critical and were positive in nature.
The commission drew comparisons with a 'Sword of Damocles' situation, and added: "The referee was damned if he did and damned if he didn't."
The commission considered Mourinho's six previous fines in three years but did not consider a touchline ban. He has now been fined £191,000 since October 2013.
It also reviewed a letter from John Alexander, Manchester United's club secretary, which has not been published.
Mourinho did not request a personal hearing and was warned over his future conduct.
