José Mourinho’s Anger Grows Ahead of El Clásico Over Controversial Leak

Information about the refereeing for El Clásico reached José Mourinho and sparked a reaction that did not go unnoticed. The coach once again questioned a practice that had already frustrated him ahead of another important match.

Mourinho Frustrated by a Leak Ahead of El Clásico

Tensions are building off the pitch ahead of El Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid. José Mourinho expressed his frustration over information circulating ahead of the match, once again putting refereeing under the spotlight.

The Portuguese coach made his feelings clear after the game against RB Leipzig. His comments focused on an issue he had previously acknowledged was particularly troubling to him when it comes to high-profile matches.

The Referee Leak That Angered Mourinho

The issue came to a head when Mourinho was asked about the possibility of Juan Martínez Munuera being appointed to referee El Clásico. Mourinho questioned why the official’s name was circulating before the official announcement, responding: “This is the kind of information I don’t like, and I’m not talking about the referee.”

The Portuguese coach recalled that the appointment should be made public 24 hours before the match, according to the timeline he referenced in his remarks. His criticism, therefore, was not directed at Martínez Munuera himself, but at the leak of information that had not yet been officially announced.

A Frustration Dating Back to the Madrid Derby

This is not the first time Mourinho has questioned the situation. Ahead of another major fixture, the coach had already expressed his discomfort with potential referee appointments becoming known too far in advance: “I trust all referees. The only thing that makes me doubt is when the referee’s name is known three weeks before the match, rather than 24 hours beforehand.”

In the coach’s view, these leaks can increase the attention and pressure on referees before a match even begins.

Refereeing Back at the Center of Controversy

Mourinho’s complaint comes amid an atmosphere marked by criticism of refereeing decisions. Real Madrid TV has questioned several officiating performances and compared decisions involving the Spanish club and Barcelona, fueling the debate ahead of El Clásico.

The coach wants referee appointments to be announced through official channels and at the appropriate time. In the meantime, the controversy is adding pressure to a matchup in which any contentious decision could become a major talking point.