Real Madrid takes action against ref after Espanyol loss

Real Madrid has taken the unusual step of officially filing a complaint against the referees following their controversial loss to Espanyol. The club is furious with the performance of both the on-field referee, Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz, and the VAR official, Javier Iglesias Villanueva, citing several key decisions that they believe cost them the game.

In a strongly worded statement on their official website, Real Madrid pulls no punches, directly criticizing the work of the two officials. The article, titled "Defeat in Barcelona with Arbitral and VAR Controversy," details the club's grievances with the officiating.

One of the main points of contention is a tackle by Espanyol's Carlos Romero on Kylian Mbappé. Real Madrid believes that Romero should have been shown a red card for the challenge, which they describe as "a very hard tackle from behind" that targeted Mbappé's knee. The club is adamant that "neither the referee Muñiz Ruiz nor Iglesias Villanueva in the VAR room sanctioned [it] with red."

The article goes on to highlight other controversial decisions, including a disallowed goal by Vinicius Junior in the first half. Real Madrid argues that the goal should have stood, as the alleged foul by Mbappé on Pol Lozano was "debatable."

Real Madrid's frustration with the refereeing in recent matches has been growing, and this official complaint signals a clear escalation in their stance. The club has long felt that they are being treated unfairly by referees, and they are now taking a more proactive approach to address the issue.

A Pattern of Unfair Treatment?

Real Madrid's complaints about refereeing are not new. The club has often felt that they are held to a different standard than other teams, and they have been vocal about their concerns.

In recent years, Real Madrid has even taken to publicly criticizing referees after certain matches, a move that is rarely seen in professional football. This latest complaint suggests that the club has reached its breaking point and is demanding action.

The Impact of the "Negreira Case"

Real Madrid's complaints about refereeing come at a time when Spanish football is facing a major scandal. The "Negreira Case," which involves allegations of payments made by Barcelona to the former vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees, has cast a shadow over the integrity of the sport.

Real Madrid has been particularly vocal about the "Negreira Case," calling for a full investigation into the matter. The club believes that the scandal has further damaged the credibility of refereeing in Spain, and they are now demanding greater transparency and accountability.

What Happens Next?

It remains to be seen what action, if any, will be taken following Real Madrid's official complaint. The Spanish Football Federation is likely to review the match officials' performance, but it is unclear whether they will face any disciplinary measures.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, has made its point clear. The club is no longer willing to tolerate what they perceive as unfair treatment from referees, and they are prepared to take whatever steps necessary to ensure that their voice is heard.