Jose Mourinho, the former Chelsea and Roma coach, has hailed the officiating at the ongoing African Cup of Nations, AFCON.
The Portuguese tactician, while admitting that he watches the African tournament more than European football, stated that Europe should emulate Africa’s honesty in officiating, especially the use of Video Assistant Referee, VAR.
He said VAR’s decisions at the AFCON are not influenced to favour rich or famous teams.
He suggested that the headquarters of VAR should be in Africa.
“I have watched AFCON more than European football. They are simply teaching us to be honest. In AFCON VAR is used exactly the way it should be used,” Mourinho said per CFC News Report.
“They do not use it to help the money magnet teams or famous teams. This is why you saw the best out of every team . Because they know VAR is not hired behind the scenes but is for everyone. They listen even to their Players if the Ref missed something and go check. In Europe if I as a coach or a player plead with a ref to go check something, it is a red card for doing that. The headquarters for VAR needs to be in CAF.”
Recall that African Cup of Nations will climax today with the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the hosts, Cote D’Ivoire locking horns in the final.