Mourinho skips Real Madrid press conference amid fears of refereeing ban

Jose Mourinho chose not to attend Real Madrid’s post-match news conference after the 1-0 La Liga victory over Villarreal at Santiago Bernabeu, with the manager reportedly concerned that comments about refereeing could lead to a suspension before the club’s upcoming fixtures.

La Liga announced Mourinho’s absence 40 minutes after the final whistle, but the Portuguese manager never appeared in the press room at the stadium. No Real Madrid player spoke to the media either, continuing a pattern that has become familiar at the club this season.

According to Marca, Mourinho decided against speaking because he did not want to risk being punished for his reaction to the officials. The manager said: “I will not speak because I want to be on the bench against Sevilla and Barcelona.”

Mourinho had been particularly unhappy with the refereeing of Diaz de Mera during the match. His frustration was evident throughout the game, but Vinicius’ red card proved to be the decisive moment in intensifying his anger.

The Real Madrid manager had already been left dissatisfied by the officiating in the derby. He believed Atletico Madrid should have finished that match with nine players. Vinicius’ dismissal against Villarreal, after the Brazilian was sent off for pulling Saliba’s hair, further increased Mourinho’s anger.

Discontent within Real Madrid over refereeing has grown from one round of La Liga to the next, while the Negreira case continues to remain in the background.

Against that increasingly tense backdrop, Mourinho opted to remain silent rather than risk a disciplinary sanction. He is expected to return before the media on Tuesday, when he will hold the news conference ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League meeting with Roma.