---
title: "Chelsea are “difficult team to referee” says former refereeing boss"
canonical: "https://readchelsea.com/2015/10/27/chelsea-difficult-team-referee-says-former-refereeing-boss/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Oliver Birch"
section: "Chelsea News"
published: "2015-10-27T14:18:13Z"
modified: "2015-10-27T14:18:13Z"
---

# Chelsea are “difficult team to referee” says former refereeing boss

The former Head of the Refereeing Association, Keith Hackett, has revealed that Chelsea are “not the easiest team to control” under Jose Mourinho, [The Telegraph reports.](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/11956885/Former-referee-Keith-Hackett-attacks-Jose-Mourinho-and-his-difficult-Chelsea-team.html)

In the aftermath of yet another controversial incident involving Mourinho and a referee, this time Jonathan Moss, Hackett revealed in an article written for the [You Are The Ref website](https://you-are-the-ref.com/keith-hackett-jose-mourinho-and-why-this-cant-go-on-sort-out-summit-needed/) that refereeing Chelsea at this moment in time is a “poisoned chalice.”

The Chelsea boss was sent to the stands at half-time in Saturday’s defeat to West Ham, after reportedly ranting at Moss before refusing to leave the match officials’ dressing room.

Mourinho has since been charged by The Football Association with misconduct, heightening his already tarnished reputation with referees in England.

Furthermore, the charge has arisen a week after the Portuguese coach was fined £50,000 and given a suspended stadium ban for comments made about referees after Chelsea’s defeat to Southampton.

![Julian Finney/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readchelsea.com/readchelsea/2015/10/491145188.jpg)

And whilst there has been no official comment from any referees regarding Mourinho’s behaviour, Hackett made his feelings clear.

He said:

> Sadly the image of the Premier League is being tarnished by the actions of the manager of Chelsea, Jose Mourinho. He appears to be one very unhappy person who, frankly, is using referees as a scapegoat for the poor performances of his team.

> \[Jonathon\] Moss was appointed to what appears at the moment to be a poisoned chalice when it comes to officiating Chelsea – not the easiest team to control.

> For a number of years with Jose Mourinho in charge, Chelsea have been a difficult team to referee. There is no question that referees need to be on top form when they are officiating this club.