Jose Mourinho Criticizes Referees After Real Madrid's Loss

Jose Mourinho has voiced strong criticism of referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Daniel Jesus Trujillo Suarez, and the Liga refereeing committee following his team's intense 2-1 defeat at Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Mourinho presented images of challenges involving Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde for Madrid, and Cristian Romero and Lee Kang-in for Atletico. He stated he hadn't reviewed Dean Huijsen's second-half red card, which led to Alejandro Grimaldo scoring a penalty, before Jonathan David secured the hosts' 2-0 victory.

Mourinho questioned the timing of the referee's appointment and suggested the VAR official had a history of unfavorable decisions against Madrid.

Marca reported that Arias, in his seventh season as a Liga official, is the first from Madrid to officiate such a game. The outlet, which named him their best referee for the 2021/22 season, noted he works as a PE teacher.

Mourinho's Statements on the Referees

“Everything felt very strange,” Mourinho stated, as reported by Madrid. “Firstly, the referee’s identity was known a week before the match, when, I’m told, it should only be announced 24 hours prior.

“A week in advance, we knew who the referee was. Then, he’s a 41-year-old referee, not even international, and not because he’s exceptional.

“The poor man came here and couldn’t handle the pressure, what I call '80s pressure' – something rarely seen today.

“Then there’s Mr. Trujillo on VAR… he has a very extensive record as a VAR in Real Madrid matches.

“Last season alone, there was the Copa del Rey match against Real Sociedad, and then games against Osasuna and Girona.

“This is a VAR with significant history. This pairing: a struggling referee who has only handled minor games, and a VAR official with a long track record.

“Congratulations to the referee appointment committee.”

Mourinho Seeks 'Peace'

This loss, Madrid's second under Mourinho's current tenure and their second in their last three away league matches, places them fourth in the standings after seven games, six points behind leaders Barcelona.

“If they leave us alone, in peace, and allow us to compete equally with everyone, there’s still a long way to go,” Mourinho commented on his complaints in the context of a potential title challenge.

“I don’t want to go too far and claim this was orchestrated. I refuse to believe that. I prefer to think they simply made errors. Just as a coach or a player can err, I want to believe the referee committee made mistakes.

“Poor individuals – they made mistakes, sending a 41-year-old who’s never been in a situation like this, alongside someone with a very rich history against Real Madrid.”