Mourinho’s referee exchange revealed by LaLiga RefCam

José Mourinho approached José María Sánchez Martínez after Real Madrid’s match against Espanyol. That exchange can now be seen from the referee’s perspective after LaLiga released a selection of footage from his body camera.

The video comes from Madrid’s 2-1 victory at the RCDE Stadium. It features several moments from pitch level, including the officials’ reactions to incidents involving Vinícius Júnior and Mourinho’s conversation with Sánchez Martínez after the final whistle.

AS highlighted the exchange, although the accompanying report does not provide a complete transcript. Any more detailed quotation would therefore go beyond what has been officially published.

Mourinho later made his assessment of the refereeing clear. Speaking before the match against Real Sociedad, he said Sánchez Martínez had handled the game well after the coach reviewed the footage several times.

The Portuguese separated the referee’s performance from the work of the VAR. Mourinho accepted that Sánchez Martínez may not have seen Álex Calatrava’s early challenge on Vinícius, but argued that the video officials should have intervened.

He said he was very pleased with the referee while adding that the VAR had not done its job particularly well. Mourinho also stated that he trusted the honesty of Spanish officials.

The RefCam footage cannot explain why Sánchez Martínez was not advised to review the challenge. LaLiga’s extract does not include the conversation inside the VAR room. It does, however, show the speed of the incidents and the communication taking place on the pitch.

Mourinho did not blame every official involved. He praised the referee, criticised the VAR and spoke to Sánchez Martínez after the game. This time, LaLiga’s camera supplied the pictures before the television panels could supply another hour of noise.