This has to be a point in time.
A turning point in the way managers, players and even fans treat and view referees.
Jose Mourinho should feel utterly ashamed and, just for once, take responsibility and make a public apology to Anthony Taylor. The video footage of Taylor and his family being abused at Budapest airport the day after the Europa League Conference final is as a direct consequence of Mourinho's actions.
There are no ifs, buts and maybes. That’s on Mourinho. And his appalling behaviour after his Roma team lost to Sevilla on Wednesday night.
Roma boss Mourinho’s foul-mouthed rant at Taylor in the underground car park in Budapest after the game stoked up the feeling. His post-match comments were bad enough. But his verbal abuse of Taylor after the game was a step too far. And now enough is enough.
It is almost irrelevant - because there is no excuse or reasoning to abuse officials - but Taylor actually had a really good game in difficult circumstances. So did fourth official Michael Oliver.
The two benches were out of control. They behaved appallingly. There were 13 bookings between the two sets of players and none of them were harsh.
The simple truth was that Roma lost and, as ever, Mourinho was a terrible loser - and took it out on Taylor. What a childish, immature and pathetic thing to do. Looking for excuses for his own failings.
But behaviour like that has big consequences. And it’s time managers realised it.
Consequences for Taylor and his family who were subjected to shouts, insults, pushing and barging as drinks went flying as they tried to make their way through the airport. Even a chair was thrown.
Why would anyone want to do a profession where they and their family are subjected to that?
Former referee Keith Hackett has even suggested that extra security should be given to referees when they are travelling, questioning whether they should be taking commercial flights and whether it’s really a good idea for their families to be travelling with them.
What a sorry state.
UEFA have to take a stand and dish out a big punishment. A lengthy touchline ban and a proper fine. Hit Roma with proper sanctions. Something to make football sit up and take notice.
Furthermore, this should act as the ultimate wake-up call for the Premier League managers, players and coaches who abuse officials week-in and week-out.
This has to be the moment where football draws a line and introduces the respect those officials deserve. They should all be looking at that video footage of Taylor being abused and feel ashamed.
Let’s stop these ridiculous accusations that the refs are biased. Screaming into their faces on the touchline is out of order. Treat them with respect.
Jurgen Klopp apologised at the end of last season for his behaviour during Liverpool’s win over Tottenham. He shouldn’t be doing it in the first place. But he will surely look at what happened in Budapest and realise there has to be a change.
It has to be the same for Mikel Arteta and Roberto De Zerbi. Great managers. But blinkered when it comes to their behaviour towards referees.
Even the media has to take a share of responsibility.
Enough of the blind, tribal, agenda-led reporting defending managers at all costs when actually they are so blatantly in the wrong it’s embarrassing.
We have been looking for a catalyst for change for a long time. The refs have suffered enough. This has to be the wake-up call to make football realise it’s time for change.
