Jose Mourinho avoids disciplinary action after Madrid derby comments

The Spanish Football Referees’ Association has decided not to take Jose Mourinho before the disciplinary committee over comments made after Real Madrid’s Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid.

According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, the referees’ association had been considering a formal complaint in cooperation with the legal department of the Technical Committee of Referees. The case could have been passed to the relevant department of the Spanish Football Federation, potentially leading to an investigation and disciplinary action against the Real Madrid manager.

After deliberations that continued throughout Monday, however, the association decided not to submit the complaint.

No action will be taken for now despite Mourinho’s criticism of the officials following the match. The Portuguese coach directed particular attention towards the referee, Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias, and Daniel Trujillo Suarez, who was appointed to work as the video assistant referee.

Mourinho questioned Ortiz Arias’ suitability for the fixture, pointing out that the Madrid-based referee is not an international official. He also argued that, despite being 41 years old, Ortiz Arias had never officiated a major match.

The Real Madrid manager also referred to incidents involving Trujillo Suarez during the previous season when discussing the official responsible for the video review system.

The decision means Mourinho avoids a possible punishment that could have followed if the complaint had been filed and a disciplinary case opened. The potential sanction could have included a four-match suspension and a fine of between €601 and €3,005.06.

The controversy continues after the derby, but the referees’ association has now ruled out taking the matter further at this stage.