Real Madrid TV Explodes After the Clasico and Attacks the Referee Again!

The highly anticipated El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona ended in yet another controversial manner, leaving both teams and fans reeling. The match was full of drama, high stakes, and a fair share of questionable refereeing decisions. However, one specific incident in the 67th minute has generated significant debate, especially from Real Madrid’s perspective. The club’s official channel, Real Madrid TV, has vocally criticized referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea for his decision not to issue a red card for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong after a foul on Kylian Mbappé.

At the time of the incident, with the score locked at 2-2, Mbappé was sprinting toward the goal, looking to take advantage of a potential scoring opportunity. De Jong, seemingly aware of the danger, made a rash decision to foul Mbappé, grabbing him by the arm and pulling him back just outside the penalty area. The action halted Mbappé’s progress and, according to many observers, was a clear professional foul. Yet, the referee deemed it worthy only of a yellow card, a decision that didn’t sit well with the Madrid side.

Real Madrid TV, which is known for its passionate defense of the club, did not mince words in its assessment of the situation. The channel expressed its frustration, stating, “De Jong clearly caught Mbappé, it’s a clear foul. There was no intent to play the ball. In any other match, this would have been a red card.” The message was clear—Real Madrid believes the referee’s decision was a case of partiality or oversight, especially given that similar incidents in the past have resulted in harsher punishment for the offending player.

This controversy has added another layer of tension to a match already full of emotion. The Clasico, a match that always carries a high level of intensity, was overshadowed by several other questionable calls, but the De Jong incident took center stage in the aftermath. For Real Madrid, it was yet another instance where they felt aggrieved by refereeing decisions in such high-profile fixtures.

The club’s reaction wasn’t just limited to their television channel. Behind the scenes, discussions were taking place regarding the overall performance of the officials, with many inside the club suggesting that De Jong’s foul could have easily been classified as a last-man challenge, warranting a red card. The club pointed to the inconsistency of refereeing decisions across different teams, highlighting how similar fouls by other players had led to expulsions in the past.

Pablo González Fuertes, the referee in charge of VAR for the match, also weighed in on the matter. Fuertes stated that the situation would be reviewed in the coming days, but suggested that the decision made by the on-field referee could be a potential point of discussion for future officiating protocols. “This could be one of the first situations we address when reviewing match officiating,” Fuertes remarked, acknowledging the controversy and suggesting that corrective actions could be forthcoming.

The debate has raised questions about the fairness of officiating in the Spanish league and whether certain clubs are afforded more leniency than others. Real Madrid has long expressed frustration with the refereeing inconsistencies they face, particularly in matches against their fierce rivals, Barcelona. Many supporters argue that such incidents unfairly tilt the scales in favor of their opponents, leading to claims of bias and favoritism.

The referee’s decision, or lack thereof, also had significant ramifications on the flow of the match. With the score still level at 2-2, Real Madrid could have gained a numerical advantage had De Jong been sent off. Instead, Barcelona maintained their full complement of players, and the game continued without further incident. However, Real Madrid’s players were visibly upset, with manager Carlo Ancelotti suggesting that the decision could have affected the final outcome of the match.

As the match continued, Barcelona ultimately managed to secure a 3-2 victory after a late goal, but the controversy surrounding the De Jong foul continued to dominate the conversation. For Real Madrid, it was another bitter reminder of the challenges they face not only on the pitch but also off it, where officiating decisions often seem to be a recurring issue in their matches against Barcelona.

This incident also sparked a broader discussion on the role of VAR in modern football. While technology has been hailed for reducing human error in officiating, many critics argue that the system is still prone to inconsistencies. In this case, VAR did not intervene in what many felt was a clear-cut red card situation. The failure to act has prompted calls for further review of VAR’s effectiveness, with many fans and pundits calling for greater accountability in how decisions are made.

The fallout from the match has extended beyond just the referee’s decisions. Real Madrid’s players and coaching staff are now under increasing pressure to address the underlying issues that led to the loss. Ancelotti, who has faced his fair share of criticism this season, has insisted that his team gave everything in the match but was ultimately undone by moments of misfortune and controversial decisions. “We can’t control what happens off the pitch, but we can control how we respond on it,” Ancelotti remarked in his post-match interview.

The match, and the aftermath, have left a bitter taste in the mouths of many Real Madrid supporters, who feel that their team was hard done by in this high-stakes encounter. For the Madrid faithful, the feeling that their team is not receiving the same level of protection as others is a recurring theme that fuels frustration and anger. The De Jong incident, in particular, has only deepened these sentiments.

Looking ahead, Real Madrid will need to refocus and prepare for their next challenge, but the Clasico debacle will surely linger in the minds of players and supporters alike. Whether or not any disciplinary action will be taken regarding the referee’s decision remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the controversy is far from over.

For Barcelona, the win was a vital one, and while they may have benefitted from the referee’s decision, they will no doubt take the three points and move forward. However, the manner in which the match was decided will undoubtedly be a talking point for both sets of fans for weeks to come.

In the end, this Clasico will be remembered not just for the result, but for the contentious officiating decisions that left everyone questioning the fairness of the game. As Real Madrid TV rightly pointed out, some decisions seem to be made with a degree of partiality, and until this issue is addressed, the tension between these two great clubs will continue to simmer.