New La Liga referee interview rule excludes Santiago Bernabéu

La Liga has implemented a new rule this season requiring referees to conduct pre-match and post-match interviews during broadcasts to clarify their decisions.

However, as reported by SPORT, this new transparency protocol will be applicable at 19 stadiums in the league, excluding the Santiago Bernabéu.

The Bernabéu's exclusion is due to restrictions imposed by Madrid regarding broadcasters' connections at the venue.

Referees to speak at other La Liga grounds

This initiative marks a significant shift in how refereeing is communicated to fans.

Under the new protocol, officials will be available to speak during broadcasts before and after matches, offering explanations for decisions made during the games.

The aim is to enhance transparency regarding refereeing, a topic that has sparked considerable debate in Spanish football.

Unfortunately, viewers watching league matches from the Bernabéu will not have the same level of access.

Bernabéu stands alone

What is particularly notable is that Madrid is the only exception across the entire league.

All 19 other La Liga venues are set to participate in this protocol.

This creates an unusual situation where access to match officials varies depending on whether a game is held at the Bernabéu.

For Madrid fans, this means that crucial refereeing decisions during home matches will not be accompanied by the immediate on-air explanations available at other grounds.

Regardless of the rationale behind Madrid's broadcasting restrictions, having one stadium operate differently is not ideal for a protocol aimed at transparency.

Consistency should be a key aspect of any league-wide refereeing initiative, especially considering how often Madrid has felt aggrieved by refereeing decisions.

If officials are to explain their decisions publicly, then Madrid will find themselves at a disadvantage for half the matches they play this season.

Every controversial decision against Los Blancos will likely become a topic of discussion.

Unless an agreement is reached regarding the broadcasting restrictions, Real Madrid's home matches will commence the season outside the transparency initiative that is in place at all other La Liga venues.

Real Madrid’s decision to reappoint Jose Mourinho to the Santiago Bernabéu has certainly drawn attention, and according to Jose Felix Diaz, Los Blancos are already pleased with Mourinho's impact since his return.

The sentiment within the club is that his appointment has been a significant success, despite the Portuguese yet to oversee a competitive match.

More importantly, there is a belief that Mourinho has brought something that Real Madrid had been lacking for too long: authority.

After a challenging period marked by inconsistent performances, multiple managerial changes, and growing issues within the dressing room, the club determined that another ordinary coaching appointment would not suffice.

Real Madrid required a figure capable of managing a powerful squad while spearheading a restructuring process. This search ultimately led Florentino Perez back to Mourinho.

Real Madrid needed a reset after two difficult seasons

The 2025/26 season revealed several issues at Real Madrid.

Firstly, the club had gone two seasons without securing a major trophy and had changed managers three times.

During this time, Barcelona had established themselves as the dominant force in La Liga under Hansi Flick, winning the league title in consecutive seasons.

For Real Madrid, the problem extended beyond the lack of silverware; there was an increasing sense that the team had lost its identity.

Chemistry within the squad struggled to develop, while performances often lacked a clear direction. The defensive structure was also a significant concern, with injuries further hampering any progress the team seemed to be making.

Consequently, the club felt that a serious reset was necessary.

Indeed, Real Madrid considered various candidates before making their decision, but Mourinho provided something the club believed was not readily available elsewhere in the managerial market.

He brought authority.

Managing Real Madrid is never solely about tactics. The dressing room is filled with strong personalities and world-class players, necessitating that the manager establish control without losing the squad's respect.

This was one of the primary reasons behind Jose Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid.

The club sought a manager with a strong personality and a proven ability to handle pressure, difficult situations, and demanding dressing rooms.

Mourinho’s authority convinced Florentino Perez

Notably, Florentino Perez has not forgotten Mourinho’s first tenure at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013.

The Portuguese coach took charge during one of the most challenging periods imaginable, when Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona were at the peak of their dominance.

Under his management, Real Madrid clinched La Liga with a record-breaking points and goals tally, ending Barcelona’s domestic supremacy and delivering one of the most memorable league campaigns in the club’s history.

Furthermore, there is a strong belief that the Portuguese manager helped lay down tactical and structural foundations that later contributed to Real Madrid’s European success under Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane.

This history clearly played a crucial role in Perez’s considerations.

The Real Madrid president was also convinced that Mourinho was the right figure to tackle the club’s escalating internal issues.

Tensions within the squad had become increasingly serious, even resulting in a physical confrontation between players.

In such an environment, Perez believed the club needed a manager capable of restoring normality and establishing clear boundaries, and Mourinho’s reputation for demanding discipline and taking control of his surroundings made him an obvious choice.

Source: Madrid Universal