Mourinho takes dig at Barcelona with ‘congratulations’ to Italy

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Lorenzo Bettoni | Last updated Oct 14, 2026 6:42 AM ET

José Mourinho took another dig at Barcelona in an interview with an Italian TV channel: ‘Congratulations, because it’s the only country where Calciopoli was truly Calciopoli.’

Mourinho will face his former club, Roma, at the Stadio Olimpico tonight, returning to the Italian capital for the first time since his sudden sacking in January 2024.

The Portuguese tactician spoke to Amazon Prime in Italy on the eve of the game, but part of the interview wasn’t about the upcoming match.

Mourinho: ‘Congratulations’ to Italy for Calciopoli

MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 08: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Real Madrid looks on before the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Real Madrid C.F. and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 08, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

“I’ll just tell you one thing. Congratulations to Italy,” Mourinho said.

“You know why? Because it’s the only country where Calciopoli was truly Calciopoli. The only one. Because what happened in Spain, everyone knows what happened, and still, you don’t breathe well. Until now, nothing happened, nothing happened.”

Mourinho referred to the so-called ‘Negreira case’ in Spain, which concerns Barcelona allegedly paying millions to the company of Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, former president of the Spanish football referee committee, between 2001 and 2018.

SEVILLE, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 04: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Real Madrid looks on before the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Real Betis Balompie and Real Madrid at Estadio La Cartuja on September 04, 2026 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

The Catalans have denied any wrongdoing, while UEFA confirmed on October 2 that it had received “a large quantity of documents” from Real Madrid relating to the ongoing investigation.

“If nothing happens, then it may be the biggest referee corruption scandal in world football,” Mourinho concluded.

“There’s nothing else to say.”

Mourinho’s return to the Stadio Olimpico to face Roma is one of the biggest storylines of the Champions League Round 2.

TIRANA, ALBANIA – MAY 25: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma celebrates with the UEFA Europa Conference League Trophy after their sides victory in the UEFA Conference League final match between AS Roma and Feyenoord at Arena Kombetare on May 25, 2022 in Tirana, Albania. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

The Portuguese coach led the club to win the 2021-22 Conference League and reach the Europa League Final in the following season.

“There surely was love for Mourinho from our fans, so he’ll deserve all the recognition he’ll receive,” Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini said on Tuesday.

“Those are things people feel, and you can’t stop them. At the same time, I’m convinced that when the game begins, all emotions will be set aside and people will support Roma exclusively.”

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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