Manchester United to appeal Phil Jones' UEFA ban for abusing doping official after Europa League final

  • Phil Jones was given a two-match ban by UEFA earlier this week
  • Jones swore at a doping official after United's Europa League triumph in May
  • The defender was taken away from United's celebrations and missed a photo commemorating the victims of the Manchester terror attack 
  • Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho expressed sympathy for Jones  

Manchester United have informed UEFA they plan to appeal the two-match European ban imposed on Phil Jones.

Jones was handed the suspension for swearing at a doping official in the immediate aftermath of United's Europa League final triumph over Ajax.

The central defender wanted to pose in a photograph dedicated to the victims of the Manchester terror attack but was called for a drugs test instead.

Phil Jones takes in the atmosphere before United's Europa League final triumph in May

Phil Jones takes in the atmosphere before United's Europa League final triumph in May

Jose Mourinho claimed the sanction was 'unfair' after the victory against Sampdoria in Dublin on Wednesday night and the club have told UEFA they will appeal.


The central defender does run the risk of an extended ban on appeal, with United having until Monday to detail their written reasons.

UEFA held a minute's silence before the final as an act of remembrance for the terror victims and United could argue they were doing similar with a post-match picture of the squad in front of a Manchester United banner.

Jones was unable to attend this photoshoot honouring Manchester terror attack victims

'He wins a European cup, he wants to celebrate with his team, he wants to get the cup, the medal, he wants to be in the pics,' Mourinho said.

'And one doctor wants to close him in a small room because of the doping control. I think it's very hard to control a player in this situation and UEFA should take that into consideration.'