The RFEF announced yesterday they were investigating the incident after also revealing suspensions for Real's Marcelo and Mesut Ozil, and Barcelona's David Villa.

But Mourinho's involvement has become the major talking point after rumours surfaced in Spain the Portuguese was set to quit Madrid in the wake of criticism about his behaviour.

The flashpoint was the latest in a string of unsavoury incidents to have occurred involving Mourinho and the Catalans since he joined Madrid last summer.

The growing tensions have seen him become increasingly outspoken about Barcelona and their practices, with talk of his departure coming on the back of the latest blow-up.

He says the speculation is not true, though, and in an open letter to supporters on the club`s official website, the dual Champions League winner wrote: "Only those who don't know me can dream, make up or believe I may leave Real Madrid at this stage...

"I believe many people were surprised by the quality football showcased by Real Madrid during the pre-season and it would be surprising news to them if I left the club now. Impossible!"

Mourinho then offered his apologies to the Madrid fans, but tellingly offered no such olive branch to his rivals.

"I also wish to apologise to Madridistas, and only to them, for my attitude in our last game," he said.

"Some people are better adapted to the hypocrisy in football than I am, and they hide their faces and speak in whispers deep inside tunnels.

"I'm not learning to be a hypocrite, and I don't want to."

Following Mourinho's statement, Madrid released their own announcement in which they hit out at the timing of the investigation as well as their rivals - who they claim prompted the RFEF's action.

"Real Madrid CF has from the beginning opted to show prudence and responsibility so as not to feed the tense atmosphere created by such events," the statement said.

"Real Madrid CF wishes to express how surprised it is to see this investigation is being ordered five days after the match, curiously just a few hours after the President of FC Barcelona publicly demanded the Spanish Football Federation to take action.

"Real Madrid CF hopes said investigation absolutely clarifies what happened during and after the match.

"The club hopes it throws light on to the provocations, humiliations, insults and aggressions that our first-team squad and coaching staff were subjected to both on the pitch and inside the tunnel leading to the dressing rooms."

Barcelona had said yesterday they would not be reporting Mourinho, but the RFEF intervened regardless.

"There are several reasons, the main one is that we need to stop this atmosphere of extreme tension," president Sandro Rosell was quoted as saying by the Spanish press.