UNBELIEVABLE BUT TRUE! Referee targeted by complaints from BARÇA and REAL after high-tension Clasico

The aftermath of the most recent El Clasico clash between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid has sparked unprecedented controversy, as both clubs have officially lodged complaints against the refereeing team. The match, which ended in a dramatic 4-3 victory for Barcelona, was marred by several contentious decisions that left both sets of supporters fuming.

For the first time in history, both Barça and Real have united in their dissatisfaction, submitting formal protests to La Liga. Fans and pundits alike have been left questioning the credibility of the officiating, as the same group of referees has been harshly criticized by the two biggest clubs in Spain. The uproar has reignited debates about the quality and consistency of officiating in high-stakes matches.

The opening incident occurred just three minutes into the game when Kylian Mbappé won a penalty after being fouled by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny. While the initial foul seemed clear, replays revealed a potential offside in the buildup, which VAR failed to address. Mbappé confidently converted from the spot, giving Real Madrid an early lead.

Only minutes later, another controversial moment unfolded. Federico Valverde appeared to foul Lamine Yamal in midfield before setting up Mbappé for Real’s second goal. Despite protests from the Barcelona players, neither the on-field referee nor VAR intervened, leaving Barça fans infuriated.

Barcelona found themselves on the receiving end of another questionable decision when Frenkie de Jong seemed to handle the ball just before Yamal equalized for Barça. The ball appeared to brush De Jong’s arm, but the referee allowed the goal to stand, further frustrating Real Madrid supporters who felt justice was not served.

The tension escalated when Aurélien Tchouameni received only a yellow card for a challenge on Ferran Torres, who was racing towards goal. The challenge appeared to meet the criteria for a red card under the laws of the game, as it denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity. However, the referee chose leniency, prompting heated reactions from the Barcelona bench.

Real Madrid, too, felt aggrieved when a potential penalty was overturned after a clash between Frenkie de Jong and Mbappé. Initially awarded, the penalty was later nullified when VAR revealed that Bellingham was in an offside position during the buildup. The frustration boiled over when Ronald Araujo received a yellow card for protesting the decision.

In the 80th minute, another penalty claim from Barça was denied when a shot from Torres struck Tchouameni’s arm. The incident, which appeared to be a clear handball, was dismissed by the referee after a VAR check, much to the disbelief of Barcelona’s players and fans.

The climax of the controversy came in stoppage time when Fermin Lopez’s potential winning goal was disallowed for a supposed handball during his build-up dribble. Although Lopez’s dazzling run and finish seemed legitimate, the referee ruled it out after consulting VAR, citing a handball infringement.

The fallout from the match has seen both clubs demand a thorough investigation into the refereeing errors, calling for more transparency and consistency in officiating decisions. As La Liga faces mounting pressure to address the controversy, the debate over the use of VAR and the quality of refereeing in major fixtures continues to rage on.