The crisis engulfing Spanish football shows no signs of easing after Real Madrid escalated their complaints against referees, accusing them of bias and manipulation of results—a move that the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has labeled as “unacceptable.”
⚡ What Happened?
Following their 1-0 defeat to Espanyol in La Liga Matchday 22, Real Madrid issued an official statement attacking the referees, alleging bias towards opponents and claiming decisions were made to influence the match outcome.
In response, the Spanish Football Federation released its own statement, condemning Real Madrid’s accusations as “unacceptable” and urging “all parties to act responsibly.”
🔥 A Storm Within the Referees’ Committee
Amid this escalating tension, the Referees’ Committee is reportedly under immense pressure, especially following explosive remarks from its president, Luis Medina Cantalejo, who lashed out at his own referees during a press conference.
Medina Cantalejo didn’t hold back, saying:
“You are not brave. This is a disgrace. It’s indefensible.”
These harsh words referred to controversial decisions made during:
- Carlos Romero’s challenge on Kylian Mbappé in Espanyol vs Real Madrid (yellow card only).
- Gallagher’s foul on Javi Salas in Atlético Madrid vs Mallorca (also a yellow card).
Both incidents sparked a massive outcry across Spain, with many criticizing the lack of red cards for such tackles.
🎯 What Did La Liga Referees Say?
According to a report from “Iusport”, a website specializing in sports legal matters:
- First and second division referees in Spain insist they were simply following the protocols outlined by the Referees’ Committee.
- They argue that VAR was not supposed to intervene in either controversial incident.
The referees are shocked by the backlash, as they believe they acted in accordance with the instructions they received before the season started.
Per the report (also covered by Sport newspaper):
- In the Gallagher-Salas incident, Gallagher touched the ball first, and the contact was deemed insufficient for a VAR review.
- Similarly, Romero’s foul on Mbappé was considered not severe enough to warrant VAR intervention.
❓ What’s Next?
Referees are reportedly confused and frustrated by Medina Cantalejo’s harsh criticism, especially since their decisions were consistent with the committee’s guidelines.
Adding fuel to the fire, up to 10 referees have been suspended indefinitely, despite their rulings aligning with official protocols set at the start of the season.
This has led to growing tension within the refereeing community, raising questions about:
- Inconsistencies in leadership
- Potential changes in VAR protocols
- And whether this internal conflict will further undermine the credibility of Spanish officiating in La Liga.
🚨 The Bigger Picture
With Real Madrid’s accusations, the Referees’ Committee’s internal conflict, and public outrage all boiling over, Spanish football finds itself in the midst of a full-blown refereeing crisis—one that could have significant implications for the remainder of the season.
