Real Madrid have had, in recent times, had decisions go against them. They haven't taken this lightly. It's quite the opposite. They are outraged by it. They have threatened to go to court if not given adequate reasoning behind the decisions made.
Real Madrid have sent a letter to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) complaining about refereeing standards after their 1-0 loss to Espanyol. The La Liga leaders lost 1-0 through a late goal from Carlos Romero, who was lucky to escape a red card earlier in the second half for a harsh challenge on Kylian Mbappe. Espanyol committed 14 fouls to Madrid's three and were given two yellow cards over the 90 minutes at the RCDE Stadium on Saturday.
Real Madrid claims that what happened at RCDE Stadium is proof of a discredited refereeing system, where decisions against the club have reached a level of manipulation that can no longer be ignored. In it's statement, the club denounces a, "double standard" in key plays, such as the "brutal tackle" on Mbappé; which should have resulted in an immediate red card and the, "completely legal" goal by Vinícius, which was disallowed despite Mbappé being fouled in what the club calls a "clear penalty."
Additionally, the club considers it serious that referee, Muñiz Ruiz, recorded in the match report that Romero's yellow card was for a ball dispute, which Real Madrid claims distorts reality to justify the decision. The team also criticises the lack of VAR intervention, operated by Iglesias Villanueva and highlights the global media reaction to the controversy; with international press condemning the biased use of VAR in Spain.
Real Madrid have since sent an official letter of complaint to Spanish football's governing body saying that the refereeing system is being, "discredited" by decisions that the club argue have gone beyond, "human error." The letter also called for the audio recordings of various VAR reviews during the match.
"The events that occurred in this match have exceeded any margin for human error or referee interpretation. What happened at the RCDE Stadium represents the culmination of a completely discredited refereeing system, in which decisions against Real Madrid have reached a level of manipulation and adulteration of the competition that can no longer be ignored. The two most serious refereeing decisions in this match have once again revealed the double standards with which Real Madrid is refereed," the letter states.
"The brutal challenge on Kylian Mbappe, from behind, on the calf and with no possibility of contesting the ball, carried out in the 60th minute of the match by the Espanyol player who would later end up scoring the winning goal for his team, deserving of immediate expulsion as highlighted by the world press; ended with the decision of the referee, Alejandro Muniz Ruiz, to only show a yellow card without the VAR, with Javier Iglesias Villanueva as responsible, intervening to correct a manifestly erroneous decision, leaving unpunished an aggression that in any other competition would have been an exemplary sanction."
The complaint continued: "Real Madrid cannot accept that the competition continues to be governed by a discredited refereeing system, whose main officials, far from being removed, continue to exercise decisive functions in decision-making. It is not enough to make superficial changes or to replace some directors; the only way to restore the credibility of Spanish refereeing requires a comprehensive reform that includes, as an essential element, the replacement of those referees whose connection with stages under suspicion compromises the legitimacy of the system and perpetuates its lack of transparency."
On Monday, Real Madrid sent a letter to the Spanish football federation blasting refereeing in Spain as, "rigged" and "completely discredited".
In it's complaint, Real Madrid requests that the RFEF immediately release the VAR audio recordings for the two crucial plays, arguing that their content is essential to clarifying what happened. "The Spanish refereeing system is completely flawed and designed to protect itself," the club asserts, denouncing the lack of effective sanctions against referees responsible for controversial decisions.
The club also references the, "Negreira case," where Barcelona is under investigation for payments to José María Enríquez Negreira while he held a senior position in the Technical Committee of Referees. According to Real Madrid, the lack of consequences for these actions reflects the structural problems within Spanish refereeing and the lack of transparency in the competition.
The club concludes that isolated sanctions or superficial changes in refereeing structures aren't enough. It demands a deep reform to ensure impartiality and eliminate political influence within the refereeing system. "We cannot accept that the competition continues under a discredited system, whose officials still make key decisions," Real Madrid states, emphasising the urgent need for measures to restore the credibility of Spanish football.
"Mbappe started to train today, yesterday we gave him an extra day of recovery," Carlo Ancelotti, the Real Madrid manager, told reporters. "He has a bruised calf, he trained normally but tomorrow he will not be available for the game."
Ancelotti said the decision not to send off Romero was, "inexplicable" after the game and reiterated his point ahead of the Leganes clash. "We're talking about something that's inexplicable, we're talking above all about the welfare of the players, and what Madrid's message asks for is an explanation, and that seems right to me," said Ancelotti.
"We want an explanation about what happened and why nothing was done to look after the welfare of the player."
Spanish clubs, RFEF & La Liga have united against Real Madrid. They want to Sanction them due to accusations and pressure on referees, according to Relevo. Several La Liga clubs have called for Real Madrid to face sanctions for their repeated criticism of referees. The issue was raised in a meeting on Thursday with the Spanish Football Federation, La Liga president, Javier Tebas and members of the referee committee.
One club representative said, "Real Madrid are not just disrespecting the referees but also the rest of the clubs."
Real Madrid didn't attend the meeting despite confirming their presence beforehand. Many clubs used the opportunity to criticise their approach, with some questioning why the referee committee had not defended itself more strongly. One official said, "They keep releasing videos attacking referees, and that cannot be accepted."
Some clubs have backed Real Madrid’s request to release VAR audio, a demand they have threatened to take to court. Tebas supported the idea but there was no final decision. One club official said, "Unifying refereeing criteria is crucial to avoid errors that harm teams."
Barcelona reportedly took a more diplomatic stance, acknowledging past mistakes while expressing a desire to improve relations. A club representative said, "Maybe we have done things wrong in the past, but now we want to be closer to all of you."
Rafael Louzan, the President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, has announced that refereeing in Spain is set to undergo structural change in refereeing in Spanish football, although he didn't advance any details. The news comes just days after Real Madrid sent Louzan a letter demanding a change to what they perceive to be a, 'corrupt' and 'manipulated' system.
All of the clubs in La Liga and in Segunda (2nd division) sent representatives to a meeting in Madrid in the Retiro Park on Thursday afternoon, in order to discuss and suggest changes to refereeing in Spain. The meeting will include the RFEF and the Referees Committee (CTA) and was scheduled in advance of the controversy involving Los Blancos.
"The Spanish refereeing system is going to change. Among other things, that’s why we are here, to listen to the clubs and find a system that everyone likes. It is going to be a change in the structural model. I don’t want to advance events, but it is reality. First we will listen to all parties."
"From this dialogue, and from listening to all parties, La Liga included, we will begin the appropriate path to find that change. Of course, I want to highlight the important role that referees have in Spanish football," Louzan told Marca.
Former Barcelona and Spain defender, Gerard Pique, has fired shots at Real Madrid over their recent complaint regarding the refereeing in the La Liga clash against Espanyol. He said, "It’s a smokescreen. They've been doing it for 120 years. That’s the way referees are and that’s the way they’re going to be forever. They are going to be wrong or not. Whether there is VAR or not. Madrid have always done this media pressure thing."
The former Barcelona defender took another swipe at Real Madrid when asked about young talents in La Liga, claiming how the Blaugrana produced talents from La Masia while Los Blancos had to pull out their chequebook.
"There are many. In the case of Barça, it is from La Masia (academy), and with Madrid, it comes via the chequebook," said Pique. On being asked about his predictions for the La Liga title, Pique put Barcelona first while stating that Real Madrid would finish outside the top three. "Barcelona first, Atlético second, and Real Madrid third… No! Athletic will be third," he said.
Barcelona manager, Hansi Flick, said on Wednesday that his team would not hide behind, "excuses" after rivals Real Madrid attacked Spanish refereeing following a surprise La Liga defeat. "This (letter) is their choice, they do it like this, it's not our way - I said no excuses and we will do it like that," Flick told a news conference ahead of Barcelona's Copa del Rey quarter-final at Valencia on Thursday.
"Every club has some reasons to say something. We're humans, it's normal in life, everyone makes mistakes. The referees have tough jobs. We have to take care of them, it's not easy this situation... when I arrived I said no excuses, no complaining and no blaming, I don't like that."
"The atmosphere (previously there) was unbelievable, and they press well, and it was not easy to win there, and I think it will be the same tomorrow," added Flick.
Javier Tebbas, has put forward his two cents. He said, via Marca: "They [Madrid] have constructed a story of victimhood, exaggerated and out of place. The objective, in my opinion, is to harm the competition… in the note it was clear that there was no adulterated competition. They have lost their minds."
Tebas suggested Madrid cannot carry on like they are, in terms of questioning the quality of refereeing in La Liga. However, tensions on this matter have been heightened due to the ongoing Negreira case, where Barcelona face charges of corruption over alleged payments made to a former official.
He added: "We are certainly going to file a complaint, just as we have filed a complaint against Real Madrid Television. We will see who is being sued, whether it is the club, the person who signed the letter or the board of directors. We are analysing the matter at a legal level, but, obviously, this type of report cannot be allowed because there are falsehoods in the report itself or half-truths that are trying to influence certain matters that cannot be."
To me, Real Madrid are just being sore losers. They couldn't accept the loss so they look for an excuse for the loss. I can only assume that if they had won, this whole thing wouldn't have happened. I fully back for Real Madrid to face some form of punishment. I also agree with the president of La Liga. Real Madrid can't act as if they run the league and that they can do whatever they want; when they want.