Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho made the unexpected decision to completely boycott communication with media representatives following a tense 8th round La Liga match against Villarreal. The Portuguese specialist took such a radical step to protect himself and the club from potential severe sanctions by football officials. After securing a narrow victory for Los Blancos, tournament organizers announced in the mixed zone of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium that the traditional post-match press conference with the manager was cancelled. Furthermore, the club's players also refused to give any comments to journalists.
Referee Scandal and Vinicius's Red Card
The main reason for such strict silence from the coaching staff and players was a highly controversial incident that occurred in the 73rd minute of the encounter. At that moment, Madrid was leading thanks to a single goal by Yan Diomande, when home winger Vinicius Junior put the ball into the Villarreal net for a second time. However, following VAR intervention, the match referee decided to overrule the goal. Replays showed that prior to the scoring shot, the Brazilian forward committed an unacceptable foul by pulling visiting midfielder Nathan Salib by the hair. As a result, Vinicius received a direct red card, leaving his team a man down for the remainder of the crucial match.
Fear of Disqualification and Matches Against Giants
According to insider information from Spanish sources, the Portuguese manager was in a state of extreme fury due to the officiating crew's work. Mourinho chose to hunker down and refrain from public statements, fearing he might say too much in the heat of the moment. The coach understood perfectly well that any harsh accusations against the referees could lead to an immediate and severe suspension. Such a scenario threatened to force him to watch upcoming high-profile fixtures against Sevilla (October 18) and Barcelona (October 25) from the fan stands rather than the technical area.
Contradictory Data
It is worth noting that certain discussions have emerged in Spanish and sports media regarding the scale of the league's reaction and the consequences of the boycott. While official La Liga representatives confirmed the cancellation of the press conference at the club's initiative, independent observers point to growing pressure on the Portuguese specialist from the Spanish press. Some experts believe that the silence only fuels tension ahead of key season matches, while others support the coach's desire to focus exclusively on the team's athletic preparation amid a tight schedule.
