The Valencia defender addressed the controversy in an Instagram story on Sunday, explaining that he had initially made clear he did not want to speak to DAZN because he was still angry about the events of the first half.
Maffeo said he was told the interview was compulsory and eventually agreed to take part, despite feeling too frustrated to speak calmly.
“I want to apologise if anyone has taken my reaction personally,” he wrote. “From the beginning, I said that I did not want to do the interview because I was very heated.”
The defender had been visibly unhappy during the broadcast, with Valencia trailing 2-0 at the interval. Federico Valverde had opened the scoring in the 28th minute, with Arda Güler doubling Real Madrid’s advantage eight minutes later.
Before the reporter had properly put his question to him, Maffeo made his feelings clear.
“I really don't feel like doing this interview. This interview here is rubbish, it has no place, we are playing a match,” he said.
Maffeo also questioned the refereeing during the first half, particularly the free-kick awarded after an incident involving Kylian Mbappé in the build-up to Real Madrid’s opening goal. The Valencia player was booked during the sequence.
In his apology, however, he was keen to distinguish his anger at the circumstances from any criticism of the journalist.
“I have enormous respect for all the professionals who do their jobs, and he has absolutely no responsibility for what happened,” Maffeo said.
He added that he had approached the reporter after the final whistle to explain his reaction and make clear that it was not personal.
The post-match conversation was captured by DAZN cameras, although the footage was filmed from a distance and had no audio. Reporter Sergio Quirante subsequently confirmed during the broadcast that Maffeo had approached him to apologise.
Kylian Mbappé added Real Madrid’s third goal in the 75th minute, completing the 3-0 victory.
Maffeo said his intention in publishing the statement was to explain the circumstances surrounding the interview and ensure there was no misunderstanding about his behaviour.
“My only objective is to clarify how things happened,” he wrote, adding that there had never been any intention to disrespect anyone.