Soccer-Roma's Mourinho blames fourth official provocation for seeing red at Cremonese

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Europa League - Play-Off Second Leg - AS Roma v FC Salzburg - Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy - February 23, 2023 AS Roma coach Jose Mourinho reacts REUTERS/Alberto Lingria

(Reuters) - AS Roma coach Jose Mourinho said he was provoked by the fourth official in the incident that led to his sending off in their 2-1 Serie A defeat to relegation-threatened Cremonese on Tuesday.

Cremonese claimed their first win of the season as Daniel Ciofani's late penalty left Mourinho's side out of the Champions League spots in fifth place in the standings.