Real Madrid Cries Foul: Allegations of Referee Bias and Controversial Calls Mount

In RMTV, allegations of refereeing injustices against Real Madrid continue to be raised, game after game. Despite the presence of VAR, the club has been enduring a refereeing witch-hunt since the beginning of the season, affecting not only their matches but also those involving FC Barcelona, a fellow contender for the La Liga title.

The Real Madrid-Almería match is being labeled as the “robbery of the century.” Interestingly, those who defend this claim also criticize events like the Chelsea-Barça clash in 2009 at Stamford Bridge (featuring the infamous Obrevo refereeing) or the Barça-PSG match in 2017 (the ‘robbery comeback’ orchestrated by Deniz Aytekin, adding to the modern-day controversies in Europe).

Numerous instances benefiting Barcelona, whether with or without VAR, are conveniently overlooked. For example, Messi’s handball in 2007 against Espanyol, the Clásicos where Lenglet’s studs met Varane or Mascherano’s trip on Lucas Vázquez were allowed. The list of refereeing scandals during the Negreira era is too extensive to recount.

Xavi was among those who complained about the refereeing by Maeso and Hernández Hernández (VAR) in the Real Madrid-Almería match. As mentioned by Ferreras on ‘Al Rojo Vivo,’ he has many reasons to remain silent and avoid making noise. Allegedly, payments were made for “sporting benefits,” as announced by the judge in the Negreira case, and this season has witnessed plays for which they should keep quiet.

Starting with the Villarreal-Barça match, where Hernández Hernández, now heavily criticized for the events in the Spanish capital, allegedly benefited Barcelona by disallowing a goal to Sorloth for a presumed offside. Similar controversies arose in the Osasuna-Barça match, involving a nonexistent penalty on Robert Lewandowski and the validation of a goal by Koundé despite clear foul play. Notably, Koundé’s contact, which Rüdiger or Joselu’s incidents against Almería demand, was downplayed. Shots are fired into the air, but a historical record dismantles the refereeing reality that unfolds week after week.

Against Alavés, a possible handball by Íñigo Martínez in Montjuïc was not signaled. This play could have resulted in a 0-2 lead for the Alavés in Barcelona. The match ended 2-1 with a comeback for Barça, and no one raised objections about this action that could have entirely changed the final outcome of the game in Barcelona.

Controversies multiply when it comes to Real Madrid, especially in this season. These controversies have cost many points, occurred in matches that ended in victories for the Whites, and there are plenty of reasons to complain.

In the only match they lost this season in La Liga, against Atlético de Madrid, Giménez should have seen a red card for a harsh tackle on Rodrygo, and Alberola Rojas dismissed a penalty on Bellingham, which VAR did not bother to review. Other draws this season against Rayo Vallecano or Sevilla also featured highly contentious plays against Ancelotti’s side.

Not Limited to La Liga The Copa del Rey witnessed the debacle with Cuadra Fernández at the Cívitas Metropolitano, significantly tilting the balance in favor of Atlético de Madrid in the derby. These plays frustrated Real Madrid, with good reason, proving decisive in their elimination from the Copa del Rey and clearing the path for Barcelona to pursue a title this season, as seen in the Saudi Arabia-hosted Supercopa de España.

Controversies are not confined to domestic competitions; they extend to European competitions this season. VAR chose not to review an incident in the Porto-Barça match that could have relegated the Catalans to the Europa League. In Portugal, VAR should have awarded a penalty to Koundé, a play that became crucial due to Barcelona’s subsequent draw against Antwerp. The VAR room ignored this incident, failing to alert Anthony Taylor, who did not see the play. There are plenty of reasons for Xavi’s team to remain silent.