José Mourinho skips press conference after Real Madrid's 1–0 win
The coach stayed away from the media at the Santiago Bernabéu, unhappy with referee Díaz de Mera and the red card shown to Vinícius.
José Mourinho refused to attend the post-match press conference after Real Madrid's 1–0 victory over Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabéu on October 11, 2026. The Portuguese coach decided to avoid the media because he was furious with the refereeing and feared his remarks could trigger a suspension.
What sparked Mourinho's decision
During the game Mourinho repeatedly showed his displeasure with referee Díaz de Mera, most notably over the red card shown to Vinícius for allegedly pulling Saliba's hair. The disallowed Vinícius goal and the subsequent dismissal became focal points of debate after the match.
LaLiga informed spectators at the Santiago Bernabéu that the Real coach would not appear for the scheduled press conference after he failed to show up 40 minutes following the final whistle. No Real Madrid player spoke to the media either.
Asked about media attendance after the fixture, Mourinho told reporters: "I will not speak because I want to sit on the bench against Sevilla and Barcelona". He explained that he preferred to avoid statements that might lead to further disciplinary action.
The match followed recent controversy in which Mourinho had already expressed dissatisfaction with officiating in the Madrid derby, believing Atlético should have finished the game with nine players. The incidents against Villarreal only added to unrest at the club.
Mourinho's next scheduled press conference is set for Tuesday ahead of Real's Champions League game with Roma, though he may again refrain from commenting on the events from the Villarreal match.
Photo: press material from the event
