Baquero urges La Liga action over Mourinho’s reaction to Mantilla injury

Jose Mourinho has been criticised by former Barcelona midfielder Jose Maria Bakero after cameras captured the Real Madrid manager arguing with the fourth official as Racing Santander defender Alvaro Mantilla lay injured during Sunday’s match at El Sardinero.

Mantilla suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury and is expected to miss the rest of the season. While the defender was crying out in pain on the pitch, Mourinho was seen approaching the fourth official and appearing to protest.

The incident prompted a strong response from Bakero, who said the Portuguese manager’s behaviour reflected a dangerous pattern that needed to be addressed.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Bakero called for greater responsibility from both players and managers when serious injuries occur.

“I saw the incident myself. At the moment Mantilla went down with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, look at the images of Mourinho protesting to the fourth official and shouting: ‘He’s pretending to fall! He’s pretending to fall! My goodness,’” Bakero said.

“We have to be clear: players, and especially managers, must be more careful and responsible in situations like this.”

Bakero said the issue should not end with criticism of one incident. Instead, he called for an official system to examine the comments made by players and managers after matches in La Liga and to take action when necessary.

He warned that the tone of post-match statements was contributing to disorder and could lead to serious consequences if no steps were taken to change it.

“I would go even further,” Bakero added. “If there is one thing that must be done now to change this situation in the Spanish league, it is to establish a special committee whose job is to review every statement made by players and managers after matches and take the necessary action.

“What is happening in this way will not end well.”