Dangerous Tackle on Kylian Mbappé by Espanyol: The Referee Lies in His Report

The controversial match between Espanyol and Real Madrid on Saturday, February 1st, left Real Madrid fans fuming, and not without good reason. The match ended in a bitter 1-0 defeat for Los Blancos, but what sparked an even greater uproar was the referee’s handling of a dangerous challenge on Kylian Mbappé by Espanyol’s Carlos Romero. What was supposed to be a routine fixture has turned into a major talking point, and not just because of the loss.

In the hours following the game, the referee’s report, compiled by Alejandro Muniz Ruiz, was made public. As expected, it stirred up even more controversy. In his report, Ruiz justified his decision to not issue a red card to Romero despite a blatant foul on Mbappé, leading to widespread anger, especially among Madrid fans who felt wronged by the referee’s choices.

For those who witnessed the tackle, the decision not to penalize Romero harshly was nothing short of bewildering. Mbappé had launched a counter-attack with the ball at full speed, only for Romero to make a desperate, reckless challenge from behind. The Espanyol defender, already trailing Mbappé by a significant distance, lunged in with both feet raised, ultimately bringing the Frenchman to the ground with a forceful tackle. The severity of the challenge was clear, and many feared that Mbappé could have been seriously injured.

Romero himself later admitted the intensity of his tackle, acknowledging its dangerous nature, but that didn’t seem to matter to the referee. Alejandro Muniz Ruiz wrote in his report that Romero was only booked for “knocking down an opponent recklessly while disputing the ball,” suggesting that the Espanyol player’s intent was to challenge for possession rather than to harm Mbappé. In essence, the referee downplayed the severity of the foul and failed to recognize the reckless nature of the tackle.

This reasoning has sparked major confusion and anger, as it directly contradicts what was visible on the field. The referee’s claim that Romero was merely attempting to challenge for the ball makes little sense, especially when considering the position of the players. Mbappé was far ahead, in full stride towards goal, and Romero had no realistic chance of winning the ball. The tackle, therefore, appeared to be nothing more than a last-ditch attempt to stop a dangerous counter-attack, and it was clearly done with little regard for the safety of the player involved.

The video footage of the incident only added fuel to the fire. It clearly shows the reckless nature of Romero’s challenge, which could have easily caused a significant injury to Mbappé. The Madrid forward, who had been in excellent form, was fortunate not to suffer a more serious injury. And yet, the referee allowed Romero to stay on the field, further infuriating Real Madrid supporters who felt the decision was yet another example of poor officiating.

What made this even more infuriating for Madrid fans was the immediate aftermath of the challenge. Romero was not only allowed to stay on the field, but he also played a pivotal role in Espanyol’s match-winning goal, which came shortly after the incident. The decision to let him remain on the pitch, despite such a dangerous foul, meant that he had the opportunity to contribute to the only goal of the match, something that many Madrid supporters believed was a direct consequence of the referee’s failure to act decisively.

It’s no wonder that Real Madrid is once again questioning the standard of officiating in La Liga. This defeat, which could prove to be costly in the race for the title, has highlighted a recurring issue: inconsistent and sometimes questionable refereeing decisions. Madrid’s complaints about officiating are nothing new, but the handling of this specific incident has taken the frustration to new heights.

Madrid president Florentino Pérez, already displeased with the club’s performance on the field, now finds himself having to address the fallout from this controversial decision. The loss to Espanyol, combined with the referee’s handling of the match, could have serious consequences for Real Madrid’s season, especially as they look to secure key points in the title race.

In the wake of this incident, the focus must now shift to how Real Madrid can recover from this frustrating defeat. Carlo Ancelotti’s team must now regroup and look ahead to their next matches, with the hope that this defeat won’t derail their season. However, the referee’s report will undoubtedly continue to haunt Madrid fans, who feel that the decision was not just an injustice on the day, but a further reminder of the challenges their team faces when it comes to officiating in La Liga.

As Madrid fans wait for the club’s official response, many are left wondering how the referee’s decision could have been so far removed from the reality of the situation. The fallout from this match may continue to linger long after the final whistle, especially as the season progresses and more high-stakes matches approach.

For now, Real Madrid must focus on the road ahead, but one thing is clear: the refereeing controversy in this match will not be forgotten any time soon.

Don Boris
Dedicated to journalism and writing from a young age, I live and breathe the news surrounding the greatest club in the world: Real Madrid. Each article I write reflects my commitment to the history and grandeur of Los Blancos. Inspired by the GOAT Cristiano Ronaldo, I work tirelessly to refine my writing skills and perfect my craft as a journalist.