Roma manager Jose Mourinho savagely taunted Papu Gomez after seeing the World Cup winner handed a two-year ban for a failed doping test.
- Gomez mocked Mourinho
- Roma beat Gomez’s Monza in Serie A
- Mourinho had a scathing response for Gomez
WHAT HAPPENED? The Roma manager’s comments came as Gomez, who lifted the World Cup alongside Messi after Argentina’s run to glory in Qatar in 2022, openly mocked Mourinho in the media last week. The Monza man was part of the Sevilla squad that beat Roma in the Europa League final last season. Gomez said: “Mourinho? I only have one memory of him and that is winning the Europa League with Sevilla against him a few months ago.”
Gomez has since been handed a two-year ban from football for breaching doping rules and Mourinho couldn’t resist taking a swipe at the Argentina international in the wake of Roma’s 1-0 win against Monza in Serie A on Sunday afternoon .
WHAT THEY SAID: “Gomez? He didn’t play in the Europa League final, I think he played against Juventus with a positive control, but I don’t want to take that syrup or I’ll be in trouble too,” the Roma boss told the press after the match. “I don’t remember playing against him in the Europa League final. What happened to him is not my problem, dealing with it would put me in a difficult position.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Gomez released his first public statement since the doping ban was announced on Sunday, claiming the positive result came about because he “accidentally swallowed” cough medicine while trying to treat his son. The 35-year-old wrote on Instagram: “I confirm that I have received information from the Spanish Anti-Doping Commission that my license is suspended for a period of two years. I have always not only strictly respected all the rules, but also stood as a strong defender of clean sport and sportsmanship, categorically condemning any form of doping .I have never, nor do I intend, to have relied on a prohibited practice. The alleged violation stems from the presence of Terbutaline in my system, which I accidentally ingested with a spoonful of cough syrup for my son to relieve his cough. Important to clarify that terbutaline is allowed for professional athletes and in no way improves football performance. Without going into the situation, I asked my lawyers to look into the suggestion that the disciplinary case was not handled according to the rules. Finally, I want to thank everyone who showed me affection and support during these difficult moments of my professional life.”
IN TWO PHOTOS:
GettyGetty
WHAT’S NEXT FOR ROMA? Mourinho’s side will now prepare for their upcoming matches against Slavia Prague and Inter Milan. The former Chelsea boss is set to be absent from the squad for the final game after being sent off for his conduct against Monza following Roma’s late winner.