José Mourinho backs referee honesty and urges Vinícius to manage emotions before Bernabéu return

Defence of Vinícius Júnior

Ahead of Real Madrid's league fixture against Real Sociedad on Wednesday, José Mourinho addressed the treatment of forward Vinícius Júnior by opponents and opposing supporters. The Brazilian player was involved in multiple confrontations during Madrid's opening match away at Espanyol. Mourinho argued that opposing players exploit referee leniency by committing repeated fouls before receiving cautions. He noted that players test disciplinary boundaries when officials fail to intervene promptly.

The reaction to fans and insults, obviously if they are not racist or homophobic insults, but the typical insults by fans, then I think he can control it better.

While advising Vinícius to manage his reactions toward hostile crowds during regular provocations, Mourinho stressed that physical protection on the pitch remains the duty of referees. He cited an unpenalized challenge three minutes into the Espanyol match, where a kick to the forward's back was missed by video assistant referees. Mourinho added that he would likely face rapid ejections if subjected to identical provocations on the pitch, also dismissing past friction with Vinícius during his time managing Benfica as club-specific rivalry.

Stance on Spanish refereeing

Addressing wider tensions surrounding Spanish officiating and the Negreira case, Mourinho expressed trust in the honesty of current match officials. His calm tone diverged from recent criticisms issued by Real Madrid's official media channels and club president Florentino Pérez. While acknowledging that refereeing decisions influenced outcomes in opening-round fixtures involving Atlético Madrid, Sevilla, and Rayo Vallecano, he rejected claims of structural corruption.

I am totally on the side of the honesty of Spanish referees.

Mourinho stated that modern referees do not enter matches influenced by past favors or relationships with former referee committee members. His 30-minute media session on Tuesday followed a 43-minute appearance prior to the Espanyol match. The extensive briefings stand in contrast to previous managers Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso, and Álvaro Arbeloa, whose press conferences rarely exceeded 15 minutes.

Return to the Bernabéu and squad status

Wednesday's fixture against Real Sociedad is Mourinho's first match in the Santiago Bernabéu home dugout in 13 years, following his initial tenure between 2010 and 2013. The manager stated that he does not seek a tailored personal reception from the crowd, asking instead for passionate support for the squad to reset following the close of last season.

Mourinho also provided updates regarding squad availability and player fitness. Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni was ruled out of the Real Sociedad clash after missing training due to lingering physical discomfort from the World Cup, with coaching staff choosing not to rush his recovery. Mourinho affirmed that the squad is settled from his perspective, though potential roster changes managed by executive José Ángel Sánchez remain possible until the transfer window closes. He concluded the press conference with a humorous remark to journalists regarding leaks and media contacts within the club.