Mourinho’s refereeing criticism should be answered by officials, says Spanish expert

Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes believes the people responsible for Spain’s refereeing system should respond to Jose Mourinho’s criticism following Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby.

Mourinho strongly criticised referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias, video assistant referee Trujillo Suarez and the Technical Committee of Referees after the match.

Speaking on the programme Marcador, the Real Madrid manager highlighted two incidents that had angered him and said: “The story of the match is here.” He was referring to his belief that both incidents should have resulted in Atletico Madrid players being shown red cards.

Mourinho also questioned whether Ortiz Arias was capable of handling a match as important as a capital derby.

“He is not a great referee. The poor man could not cope with the pressure,” said the Portuguese manager.

He directed similar criticism at Trujillo Suarez, before also questioning the Technical Committee of Referees for appointing the pair to officiate the fixture.

“What a poor referee, lacking the experience and status to referee a derby. Congratulations to the committee responsible for referee appointments,” Mourinho said.

Gonzalez Fuertes, a refereeing expert on radio station Marca, discussed the language used by Mourinho when expressing his views.

He said managers and other figures in football were entitled to offer opinions on refereeing decisions, but argued that doing so did not require words carrying negative implications about officials.

“Every manager or football figure has their opinion, and it is as respectable as any other opinion. I do not think it is necessary to use language with a negative connotation,” Gonzalez Fuertes told Marca.

The expert added that refereeing decisions could be debated normally, but drew a distinction between criticising a decision and directing criticism at the referee or the bodies responsible for officiating.

Asked who should answer Mourinho’s comments, Gonzalez Fuertes said those overseeing the refereeing structure were the appropriate people to respond.

“I think they should respond, but they will not,” he said.

The derby generated considerable controversy over the officials’ decisions, particularly the failure to send off Cuti Romero and Kang In Lee during the first half.

Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen was later shown a red card in the second half after a video review by the VAR intervened.