LaLiga: ‘People don’t like that’ – Nacho reveals problem with Mourinho
Former Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez has commented on remarks made by Jose Mourinho regarding the officiating during the recent Madrid derby.
Mourinho, the Portuguese manager, has a reputation for candidly voicing his opinions, a tendency that does not resonate with all fans and analysts.
Real Madrid faced Atletico Madrid on September 20 in a LaLiga match at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, where they were defeated 2-1. The game was marked by several controversial referee decisions, particularly in the first half. Observers have suggested that Atletico Madrid players Lee Kang-in and Cristian Romero warranted red cards for their challenges against Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham, respectively. However, no red cards were issued during the contest. Instead, Real Madrid was left with 10 players after Dean Huijsen was sent off in the second half.
In the post-match press conference, Mourinho criticized the officiating, a stance that Nacho addressed in an interview with Cadena SER.
“I prefer to believe that nothing is deliberately orchestrated to produce such outcomes. I recognize that referees are human and susceptible to errors,” Nacho said. “However, these particular mistakes are so consequential that they determine match results, as occurred yesterday. Had two red cards been issued, the contest would have unfolded entirely differently.”
Nacho also remarked on Mourinho’s forthrightness, stating, “We already know that Mourinho likes press conferences, especially for this purpose; in the end, he defends his own. The problem is that Mourinho is too outspoken; he says things as he thinks them, and many people don’t like that.”
Nacho, who progressed through Real Madrid’s youth system, spent nearly 20 years with the club before leaving in 2024. He made 16 appearances while Mourinho managed the team.
