Mourinho unhappy as referee speculation surfaces before Clasico

Jose Mourinho has criticised the timing of reports naming the officials expected to oversee Real Madrid’s Clasico against Barcelona next Sunday.

The Portuguese manager was asked about the leaked details after Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Reports suggested Juan Martinez Munuera would be appointed as the referee for the match at Camp Nou, with Iglesias Villanueva working as the video assistant referee.

Mourinho said: “This comes out of context, but the announcement will be made 24 hours before the match.”

He added, as reported by Marca: “I do not like this kind of information, and I do not like it being released at this time. I am not referring specifically to these two referees.”

The fixture will be played on Sunday as part of the 10th round of La Liga, with Barcelona currently leading the table on 27 points from a possible 27.

Real Madrid are third, six points behind their rivals.