Mourinho backs Spanish referees and mentions Negreira

Jose Mourinho, Spanish referees and the name Negreira in the same answer. The ingredients for another refereeing controversy were all there. The Real Madrid coach chose a different route.

Speaking before the match against Real Sociedad, Mourinho was asked about refereeing decisions involving Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as the treatment of Vinicius Junior. He said he had not watched every game involving the two clubs last season and therefore could not offer a fair general comparison.

He was far more certain about what happened to Vinicius against Espanyol.

Mourinho returned to the incident from the third minute, when Alex Calatrava kicked the Brazilian in the back while he was on the ground. No red card was shown. The same player remained on the pitch and later scored Espanyol’s equaliser.

The Portuguese coach described the challenge as an act of aggression that should have resulted in a dismissal. However, he was careful to separate the incident from his overall assessment of the referee.

Mourinho said the match official had otherwise performed well. He accepted that the referee may not have seen the kick clearly and suggested the fourth official did not want to make such an important intervention so early in the game.

His criticism was aimed mainly at VAR.

Unlike the referee on the pitch, the video officials had access to replays and several angles. Mourinho believes they should have identified the incident and recommended an on-field review. He said VAR had not done its job properly.

That complaint did not lead him to question the honesty of Spanish referees. Mourinho said he trusts them before every match, both in La Liga and the Champions League, even if he occasionally disagrees with decisions afterwards.

“I don’t think there is a referee in Spain who goes onto the pitch thinking he is Negreira’s friend,” Mourinho said.

He added that he stands firmly behind the honesty of Spanish officials. Refereeing decisions can still influence results, he admitted, pointing to Atletico Madrid’s match against Sevilla on the opening weekend, but mistakes do not automatically mean corruption or bad faith.

Mourinho also addressed Vinicius’ responsibility for his own reactions. He believes the Brazilian can improve the way he responds to hostile crowds and insults, provided they are not racist or homophobic. Tackles, fouls and penalty decisions are a different matter.

Those belong to the referee.

The Real Madrid coach said he prefers to think of the official as a judge in such situations because the job is ultimately about justice and protecting players. If opponents believe they can repeatedly kick, provoke and physically pressure Vinicius without an early punishment, they will continue doing it.

Mourinho was given an opportunity to turn the Negreira case into a broad attack on Spanish refereeing. Instead, he defended the officials currently working in La Liga and focused on one specific failure from the Espanyol match.

The referee received his support. VAR did not.

Sources: EFE, Mundo Deportivo, Managing Madrid