José Mourinho skipped his post-match press conference at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, and so did every one of his players. Marca first reported his reasoning in a single sentence.
“I will not speak because I want to be sitting on the bench against Sevilla and Barcelona.”
Real Madrid had just beaten Villarreal 1-0, Yan Diomandé scoring the only goal shortly after the hour. The night turned on a VAR intervention in the 72nd minute: Vinícius Júnior appeared to double the lead on a Jude Bellingham through-ball, Mourinho sprinted onto the pitch to celebrate, and then the replay showed Vinícius pulling Nathan Saliba’s hair in the build-up. The goal was scrubbed and the Brazilian walked for violent conduct.
The referee was Isidro Díaz de Mera. One critical word about his officiating in the media room would, under La Liga’s media-conduct rules, risk a touchline ban in time for the biggest fixture of the autumn.
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Vinícius faces a possible Clásico ban
Vinícius posted a short apology on social media, saying he was “sorry to the team and the fans”. The apology does not spare him the disciplinary file. Al Jazeera reported that violent-conduct charges typically bring a two-to-three-match suspension, which would almost certainly rule him out of El Clásico.
Mourinho’s frustration with officiating had been building for weeks, dating back to the Madrid derby against Atlético. Sunday was the point at which he decided the risk of speaking was greater than the cost of staying silent.
Six points behind Barcelona
Barcelona have won all eight of their La Liga matches and sit top with 24 points. Real Madrid, after Sunday, are fourth on 18. Six points separate them going into the first Clásico of the 2026-27 season.
Mourinho’s side host Sevilla at the Bernabéu on Sunday, 18 October, kick-off 9pm local time. El Clásico follows one week later at Camp Nou, kick-off 9pm local time on Sunday, 25 October.
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