Refereeing Under Fire in LaLiga

Spanish referees are once again at the center of heated debates in LaLiga, with Real Madrid finding itself embroiled in controversy. The recent dismissal of Dean Huijsen against Real Sociedad and Jorge Cestero in Castilla's clash with Athletic B has ignited tensions with officials.

A Blunder Acknowledged

In a pivotal moment during the match in San Sebastián, referee Jesus Gil Manzano flashed a red card to Dean Huijsen in the 32nd minute for a last-man foul on Mikel Oyarzabal. Real Madrid argued that teammate Eder Militão was close enough to provide cover, suggesting a yellow card would have sufficed.

Internally, the Refereeing Technical Committee (CTA) has deemed Manzano's decision as misguided, with many agreeing that the red card was excessive. Although they support VAR official Jorge Figueroa Vázquez's choice not to intervene, they admit the incident had its complexities.

Real Madrid is appealing Huijsen's suspension with hopes to have it overturned, but for now, he is set to miss the crucial match against Espanyol.

Madrid’s Anguish Over Refereeing Disparities

This latest controversy has reignited a long-standing grievance among Real Madrid fans. Over the years, Barcelona has been awarded 65 red cards in LaLiga, while Madrid sits at a staggering -2, often facing the struggle of playing with fewer men.

However, when comparing UEFA officiating, the numbers tell a different story—Barcelona +12, Real Madrid +13—indicating a certain neutrality in European matches. This stark contrast has only reinforced the belief that domestic officiating is consistently disadvantageous for Madrid.

Compounding these frustrations is the ongoing Negreira scandal, investigating alleged financial dealings between Barcelona and a former CTA vice president. Many Madrid supporters see their unfavorable refereeing statistics as indirect evidence of bias.

More Heartbreak for Castilla

As if the situation couldn’t get worse, Castilla faced further refereeing woes. They found themselves down to ten men in a 1-0 defeat to Athletic B after Jorge Cestero was given a second yellow card for what appeared to be a clean challenge.

Despite a VAR review request by Castilla, referee David López upheld his decision, even after witnessing what seemed to be Cestero winning the ball. This incident mirrored Huijsen's red card and amplified frustrations among the Real Madrid contingent.

What Lies Ahead for Real Madrid?

The alarming sequence of events, with controversial expulsions in both the senior and reserve teams, has fueled Real Madrid’s determination to seek accountability. Club officials are contemplating reaching out to FIFA over the decline in officiating standards in Spain.

With appeals for Huijsen and Cestero pending, Madrid is steadfast in demanding answers. The sentiment within the club is clear: Spanish officiating has hit a breaking point, and they feel they are the ones unfairly suffering the consequences.