Madrid’s Bernabéu has become the latest stop in Real Madrid’s escalating argument with Spanish football’s authorities, with José Mourinho declining to attend the compulsory post-match media conference after the Villarreal match.
Key takeaways
- Mourinho did not appear before reporters after Real Madrid’s game against Villarreal.
- The club backed the Portuguese coach’s decision, which was seen as a response to referee Díaz de Mera’s rulings.
- Vinicius Jr was sent off and also had a goal ruled out during the match.
- The referee’s report accuses Vinicius of pulling hair away from any challenge for the ball and then behaving violently towards the official.
- The Brazilian could receive a suspension of at least two matches, potentially ruling him out of the Barcelona Clásico.
A protest without a press conference
Mourinho’s absence was an unusual move for a Real Madrid manager and added another layer to the club’s dispute with refereeing and La Liga. The decision was understood to be a protest over Díaz de Mera’s handling of the Villarreal fixture, particularly the dismissal of Vinicius and the disallowed goal.
It comes with Madrid already in a strained relationship with the competition’s leadership, amid Florentino Pérez’s long-running conflict with La Liga president Javier Tebas. Friction had also followed the Madrid derby, when the club argued that Atlético Madrid players should have received two red cards that were not shown.
Speaking only briefly after refusing the formal media duties, Mourinho made clear that avoiding further disciplinary trouble was his priority. “I am staying silent because I want to be on the touchline for Sevilla and Barcelona,” he said.
With Sevilla and then Barcelona ahead, the coach does not want to add his own absence to a potentially depleted Madrid picture. Mbappé is already a concern, while Vinicius may now face a further spell out of the side.
Vinicius awaits disciplinary decision
The immediate focus now turns to the sanction that will follow the referee’s report. Díaz de Mera recorded that Vinicius pulled an opponent’s hair when the ball was not being contested, before displaying violent behaviour towards the referee on his way from the pitch.
Reports in Spain have suggested a ban of no fewer than two matches is possible. Such a punishment would place Vinicius’ participation in the Clásico against Barcelona in serious doubt.
For Madrid, the Villarreal fallout has therefore travelled beyond one disputed afternoon at the Bernabéu: Mourinho has chosen silence to protect his place on the bench, while Vinicius waits to learn whether his red card will remove him from one of the season’s defining fixtures.
