Jose Mourinho criticises England and Harry Maguire over 'theatrics' during Colombia World Cup 2018 clash
Get Chelsea FC updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe See our privacy notice Thank you for subscribing! Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email
Jose Mourinho has hit out at England for ‘theatrical’ antics during their World Cup last 16 win over Colombia, with the Manchester United boss singling out Harry Maguire for individual criticism.
The Three Lions booked a quarter-final spot against Sweden after defeating their South American opponents on penalties in Moscow on Tuesday night.
The match was a tempestuous one however, with a number of flashpoints involving players from both sides, and a referee, American Mark Geiger, who was appeared unable to exert control.
Eight players were booked - six Colombians - while Jordan Henderson appeared to be on the receiving end of a headbutt from Wilmar Barrios during the first half, as a stormy clash descended into a battle of tit for tat.
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
(Image: REUTERS)
Jose Pekerman, the Colombia coach, has hit out at what he termed England’s antics, while Diego Maradona astonishingly called on FIFA referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina to apologise to the Colombian people following their exit.
Three Lions chief Gareth Southgate says he was proud of how his players handled the volatile atmosphere, but Mourinho had his own thoughts, in particular regarding one moment early in the second half, when Maguire appeared to go down without any contact.
(Image: PA)
“The negative thing for me was the fact…I think there is exaggeration on theatre by the players,” said Mourinho, who was working as a pundit for Russia Today.
“I was surprised to see central defenders like Harry Maguire, normally he is a very honest guy, diving in the attacking box asking the referee for VAR.
"Every team has lots of diving, lots of pretending, lots of putting pressure on the referee. The game loses quality…and for me that was the negative point."
(Image: TASS)
Maguire himself was very unhappy with the incident involving Barrios and Henderson, which saw the Colombian issued with just a yellow card.
The Leicester centre-half admitted the official’s decision left him surprised.
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
“From what I saw he [Barrios] moved his head towards his face and Jordan got a cut on his lip.
“I don’t know how they reviewed it,” he added. “If he has shown him a yellow card for it, it has to be a red.
"From my view, he moved his head towards Jordan’s face, he definitely made a connection and cut his lip.”