Valencia director separated from officials by police in Real Madrid loss

Valencia sporting director Braulio Vázquez had to be separated from the match officials by the police at half time of Saturday's 3-0 loss to Real Madrid at Mestalla.

Vázquez approached the referee, Francisco José Hernández Maeso, and his assistants to complain about a foul given against Pablo Maffeo on Kylian Mbappé in the build up to Madrid's first goal.

"During the half-time interval, in the tunnel, [Vázquez] became involved in a confrontation, going face-to-face with one of my assistants," Hernández Maeso wrote in his report.

"He repeatedly addressed him in an agitated tone, making the following remarks: 'It wasn't a foul, it wasn't a foul! What a disgrace!'

"Likewise, when I walked past him, he also addressed me on several occasions, repeating the same words and maintaining an agitated attitude.

"As a result of this situation, the intervention of officers from the Spanish National Police was required.

"They proceeded to identify him and had to physically restrain and remove him from the area in order to put an end to the incident."

According to reports in the Spanish media, the episode was part of a larger brawl between both teams at the break.

Hernández Maeso's report does not detail any other acts of aggression.

Valencia had been angered by the decision to give a foul against Maffeo prior to Federico Valverde's opener in the 28th minute.

Arda Güler doubled Madrid's lead before the break, with Maffeo then raging when he was put forward for the half time interview with broadcaster DAZN.

"I don't want to do this interview at all," the Valencia defender said. "I think it's shit. It's completely out of place, we're here playing a match.

"They give fouls against us that aren't fouls. But if I have to do it, I will. Ask me what you want."

Asked to expand, he added: "There's a foul given before the first goal which has conditioned the scoreline at half time."

Mbappé added a third goal for Madrid in the second half before Valencia's Jose Luis Gayà was sent off late on.

Madrid have won eight games in a row in all competitions and are now level at the top of LaLiga with Barcelona, who play Atlético Madrid on Sunday.