Damir Skomina named Europa League final referee.. who Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has slammed in the past


MANCHESTER UNITED’S Europa League final will be reffed by Damir Skomina – who Jose Mourinho once branded “weak and naive”.

Slovenian whistler Skomina is considered one of the best in the business and has been booked by Uefa for the Stockholm clash with Ajax on May 24.

Mourinho was aghast at Skomina's decsions in a Champions League clash in Kiev
Mourinho was aghast at Skomina’s decisions in a Champions League clash in Kiev
AP:Associated Press

And United’s hopes of a first European trophy in nine years – and Champions League football – could hinge on the decisions of the 40-year-old.


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The Special One let rip at Skomina after Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Dynamo Kiev in October 2015.

Skomina will be the man in the middle for the Europa League final on May 24
Skomina will be the man in the middle for the Europa League final on May 24
Getty Images
The emotion came pouring out of Mourinho as United scraped through to the final
Emotion came pouring out of Mourinho as United scraped through to the final
PA:Press Association

Mourinho was furious Skomina turned down a penalty shout when Cesc Fabregas was brought down in a goalless draw in Ukraine.

He fumed: "The referee was weak and naive with the penalty.

"I cannot understand what the referee behind the goal does because he doesn't make a clear decision too.

"Against Porto (in the previous game) it was in the last minute, a decision crucial for the result.

"This was not in the last minute but it was still a key development.

"I don't know, the referee didn't see it or decided not to give it."

Mourinho then compared Skomina to under-fire rugby ref Craig Joubert whose cock-up cost Scotland a World Cup semi-final three days earlier.

He added: "The referee was very good. I think he made one mistake.

Cesc Fabregas appeared to be fouled in the box in Kiev
Cesc Fabregas appeared to be fouled in the box in Kiev
BT Sport
Fabregas falls to ground for what appeared to be a nailed on penalty
Fabregas falls to ground for what appeared to be a nailed on penalty
Reuters
Skomina then explained to the Chelsea midfielder why he turned down the pen shout
Skomina then explained to Fabregas why he turned down the pen shout
Reuters

"In the rugby world cup, the referee in the Scotland game was very good but made one mistake.

"And that mistake cost Scotland their chance."

Skomina has been an international ref since 2003 and has officiated six Champions League matches this season.

He was also the man in the middle for England's humiliating Euro 2016 defeat to Iceland.

Andrew Dillon's story from Chelsea's clash in Kiev on October 21, 2015
Andrew Dillon's story from Chelsea's clash in Kiev on October 21, 2015
SunSport

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