GOAL reported that José Mourinho has put a plan in place at Real Madrid to deal with new rules that limit the right to speak to match officials to team captains.
New on-pitch arrangement
According to GOAL's report, with Federico Valverde out injured and Vinícius Júnior suspended, Mourinho made Aurélien Tchouaméni the only player on the pitch, alongside the team captain, authorised to speak with the referee.
Communication mechanism with officials
According to Marca, the new rules have forced Mourinho to rearrange roles within the squad and set up a clear mechanism for communicating with officials.
Risk of a yellow card
According to GOAL's report, any player other than the captain and Tchouaméni who approaches the referee to pressure him, gesture at him or object to his decisions faces a direct yellow card.
Why Tchouaméni was chosen
GOAL reported that Mourinho chose Tchouaméni because his central position keeps him close to flashpoints and challenges and allows him to step in when a word with the referee is needed. GOAL reported that Mourinho trusts Tchouaméni's experience and composure to relay the team's objections and demands with respect and firmness.
