Mourinho hits out at ref and VAR after loss to Rangers

Jose Mourinho claimed Fenerbahce were the "better side by far" despite being knocked out of the Europa League by Rangers and hopes his side being denied three penalties at Ibrox is "just random" and not because of his suspension after the 2023 final.

The Portuguese head coach called referee Anthony Taylor "a disgrace" after his Roma side were beaten by Sevilla on penalties.

This time, it was Rangers who prevailed after a shootout despite Fenerbahce winning 2-0 at Ibrox to level the last-16 tie at 3-3 on aggregate.

"The only thing for me is that I hope everything that's happened to me in European competitions is not a consequence of the Budapest final and I hope it's just random," Mourinho said.

Jose Mourinho (right) says Fenerbahce had three justified penalty claims rejected

"Since that final, since my suspension, the things that happened to us - we didn't play Champions League because of a penalty on 120th minute that only the fourth official saw.

"Today, we come here and the VAR is considered one of the best VARs. He didn't see one of three penalties. I just hope it's random. I paid for the suspension and I hope that it's over. I pray that this is just bad luck."

Mourinho said that "the fourth official was not arrogant like the referee", Norwegian Espen Eskas.

The former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United boss added that he managed to keep calm while "it was difficult to control" his bench watching some of the decisions back on their laptops.

Despite the 3-1 win in Istanbul and never before having lost at home to a Turkish side, Rangers were understandably wary of a side full of talented if ageing star names who were led by such an experienced and wily manager as Mourinho.

They were right to be concerned as two goals from Sebastian Szymanski consigned Rangers to a fourth successive home defeat for the first time in their history after domestic losses to St Mirren, Queen's Park and Motherwell.

But the penalties came to Rangers' rescue.

"We deserved to win over 90 minutes, we deserved to win after 120 minutes, we were the best team by far," Mourinho said.

"In the first match, I was honest and I had enough to say we made mistakes, we deserved to lose, but in this match I also have to be honest and say we were the best team by far.

"The ref and the VAR decided that we should go to penalties."

Mourinho also noted that another of his former sides, Roma, had lost to Athletic Bilbao, who will be Rangers' next opponents.

"In football everything is possible, but I played against Bilbao in the group stage," he said. "Bilbao is a stronger team and the final is in Bilbao.

"I don't know what happened to Roma, but after 10 minutes, Roma were playing with 10 men. So I think, if Rangers do it against Bilbao, it will be phenomenal.

"Congratulations to Rangers, but I think my team deserves everything from me. I'm proud of them."