Bakero warns Spanish football ‘will not end well’ after Mourinho incident

Jose Maria Bakero has strongly criticised Jose Mourinho for his reaction while Racing Santander defender Alvaro Mantilla was suffering a serious injury against Real Madrid.

The incident took place during Sunday’s match, which Real Madrid won 3-0. Mantilla was later diagnosed with a cruciate ligament rupture, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

Television footage appeared to show Mourinho protesting to the fourth official as Mantilla received treatment on the pitch. The Real Madrid manager was heard saying the player had been pretending to go down.

Bakero, a former Barcelona player, condemned Mourinho’s conduct in comments reported by Mundo Deportivo and called for the incident to be reviewed.

“I saw what happened,” Bakero said. “When Mantilla was injured and tore his cruciate ligament, look at the images of Mourinho protesting to the fourth official and saying: ‘He pretended to fall, he pretended to fall.’”

Bakero said the reaction should prompt everyone involved in football to show greater care, with particular responsibility resting on managers.

“Honestly, we need to be clear,” he added. “I believe that everyone involved, especially the coaches, must exercise the utmost caution.”

The former Barcelona player also called for stronger measures over comments made by players and managers after matches.

He suggested creating a dedicated body to monitor such statements and take action when necessary, arguing that the current atmosphere in Spanish football could have serious consequences.

“If there is something that needs to be done now to change this situation in the Spanish league, it is to form a committee responsible for statements made by players and coaches after every match, and to take the necessary measures,” Bakero said.

He ended with a stark warning: “Because this will not end well.”