Mourinho denies ordering media ban

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has rejected accusations he was responsible for the club’s recent media blackout.

The La Liga leaders refused to speak to the press after Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Villarreal at El Madrigal in protest at their alleged unfair treatment at the hands of officials.

Many argued the move had Mourinho’s fingerprints all over it but the Portuguese coach said otherwise during his pre-game press conference for Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash with APOEL.

“I don’t have to justify anything,” the former Inter boss declared when asked to explain his actions. “It was not me who was responsible for this or who made the decision.”

Mourinho was reluctant to discuss the matter much further but was far more forthcoming when it came to discussing his side’s next opponents.

APOEL have been the surprise package in this season’s Champions League but few are giving them any hope of progressing to the semi-finals at the expense of the Spanish giants.

Mourinho, however, insisted he is not taking the Cypriot side lightly and claimed he does not believe his team will be able to kill off the tie on Tuesday.

“We are favourites; we cannot deny it,” he said. “APOEL and Madrid cannot be compared, but I respect them very much.

“We have studied their evolution and know it will be a tough game.

“Of course, we will try to win, but my feelings are that it will be a tough game and that everything will be decided at the Bernabeu.

“Of course we have to learn something from them. There is great power within the group and that’s more important than the quality of any player.

“They all fight for the interests of the team and know that everything is possible in this sport. That’s a great lesson for the whole world.

“We must respect APOEL. Their Champions League campaign has been great and they deserve to be where they are.”