The Spanish referee is already running wild while it’s only the first day of the championship

The opening match of the 2025/26 La Liga season between Real Mallorca and Barcelona has already descended into chaos, sparking heated debates across Spain and beyond. What should have been a festive curtain-raiser for Spanish football instead turned into a night of anger, controversy, and questions about refereeing standards.

At the heart of the storm lies an incident involving Raphinha. The Brazilian winger went in from behind on Mateu Morey Bauzá with a reckless challenge that, by most interpretations of the laws of the game, warranted a straight red card. Yet, to the disbelief of Mallorca players, their supporters, and millions watching worldwide, referee Munuera Montero chose not to send him off. Instead, Raphinha was allowed to continue playing, leaving Mallorca furious at what they saw as blatant favoritism.

The drama did not stop there. In a shocking twist, it was Mallorca who ended the first half with two red cards. The referee brandished dismissals for the home side that left them reduced to nine men before halftime. To compound matters, the decisions were accompanied by a series of highly controversial goals scored by Barcelona, plunging the match into complete chaos.

The first major controversy surrounded Barcelona’s equalizer. Lamine Yamal, full of energy and creativity, surged down the wing and provided a pass to Raphinha. However, replays suggested that the ball may have already gone out of play before Yamal delivered the assist. Despite this, the referee and VAR allowed the goal to stand, much to the fury of Mallorca’s bench and fans.

If that was not enough, Barcelona’s second goal came under even heavier scrutiny. In a bizarre sequence, a Mallorca player had gone to ground, and confusion reigned as the referee appeared to signal for play to stop. However, the official never blew the whistle, and Barcelona carried on. The ball remained at a standstill for over the regulation eight seconds, which by the rules should have resulted in a stoppage. Instead, Ferran Torres pounced, slotting the ball into the net while Mallorca players stood frozen, expecting a halt in play.

This moment alone sparked outrage not only in the stadium but across the footballing world. Analysts described it as a fundamental breakdown in refereeing judgment, one that undermined the integrity of the competition on its very first day.

Fans took to social media immediately, with hashtags related to the match trending worldwide. Phrases such as “robbery,” “scandal,” and “VAR corruption” began circulating within minutes. The sense of injustice was palpable, especially from Mallorca supporters who felt their team had been stripped of a fair contest.

For Barcelona, the situation was equally complicated. While their players celebrated the goals and pushed for victory, much of the media attention was diverted away from their performance and onto the refereeing errors. Critics have already suggested that Barcelona’s win, regardless of the scoreline, will be remembered less for footballing brilliance and more for refereeing chaos.

Spanish refereeing body officials are already under pressure, with calls from fans and pundits alike demanding explanations. The fact that such controversy has erupted on the very first day of the season is a worrying sign for La Liga, which has spent years trying to restore faith in its officiating system.

Meanwhile, Raphinha’s challenge on Morey remains a central talking point. Former referees and specialists such as Archivo VAR have been quick to point out that the incident met all the conditions for a red card: endangering an opponent, tackling from behind, and with both feet. That the referee chose otherwise is being described as a clear failure of both on-field officiating and VAR support.

As the dust settles, one thing is certain: this opening fixture between Mallorca and Barcelona will go down in history for all the wrong reasons. Instead of being remembered as a football spectacle, it has become a symbol of refereeing inconsistency and the fury that erupts when fairness is brought into question. The Spanish league now faces a turbulent start, with pressure mounting on officials to restore credibility in the weeks to come.