For the umpteenth time: Real Madrid fuming with the refs

Last night, the La Liga title race may have been finished. Real Madrid drew 1-1 against Real Betis on the road, and gave Barcelona a chance to increase their advantage to a double-digit figure if they beat Getafe today (17.15).

Los Blancos had three points in their pocket until the dying minutes, when the former Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin stunned them, netting a vital equalizer in the 94th minute.

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However - some would say, as usual - Madrid aren't to blame for their failure. The referees are.

For Los Blancos, two situations are controversial: a potential penalty after Ricardo Rodriguez's handball following Brahim Diaz's shot and an alleged foul on Ferland Mendy prior to Bellerin's leveller.

Neither the ref Cesar Soto Grado, nor the VAR room reacted.

The first to comment on the matter was the club's official TV.

"The refereeing was just another example. Did Real Madrid lose because of the refereeing? I don't know if you can say that, but what you can say is that this is a clear penalty, plain as day, and there's no room for interpretation."

"There's a foul, and it's a blatant penalty. If anyone was wondering a year ago why Gonzalez Fuertes said they were going to take action, well, these are the measures. Once again, the referee's hand in the till," it was stated on Real Madrid TV via Mundo Deportivo.

Nevertheless, this wasn't the only reaction to the refereeing, as El Chiringuito journalist, Jose Luis Sanchez, was even harsher on the referees.

“They should all be going after the referee. They decided this match in Las Rozas. Once again, they decided this match in Las Rozas. Betis drew this match from Las Rozas."

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“I hope they come out of the trial and make the whole of Spanish football blush. It’s a disgrace. This is already a disgrace to the competition. It’s a bloody disgrace. And now you keep whitewashing this competition. Keep whitewashing this competition for Madrid.”

“Madrid are disrespected season after season in this way. What happened in the first half is a disgrace. And this with the referees on top of it: it’s Soto Grado and Gonzalez Fuertes."

“Antony grabs Mendy inside the box, pulls him down, commits a foul, and it ends in a goal in the 93rd minute. It’s a disgrace to the competition.”

“Just give Barcelona the title already. Give it to them. But let Soto Grado give it to them, or let him hand it over. What’s his name? Fran Soto? Let Fran Soto hand it over to them now,” enraged Sanchez said via Madrid Universal.

Finally, Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa also touched on the officiating in the press conference, though he was much calmer, but still disappointed by some decisions.

“For me, it’s a clear penalty, with the hand out, from a Brahim shot. I don’t know what else you could want. And then the last one, when Mendy has won the position, and if they touch you a little, if they grab you. These are all decisions that have a big effect on the game,” he said via Football Espana.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 32

Friday

Betis - Real Madrid 1-1 (0-1)

/Bellerin 90+4 - Vinicius 17/

Saturday

15.00: (2.25) Alaves (3.35) Mallorca (3.50)

17.15: (5.60) Getafe (3.70) Barcelona (1.65)

19.30: (2.15) Valencia (3.50) Girona (3.70)

22.00: (2.20) Atl.Madrid (3.40) Ath.Bilbao (3.30)

Sunday

15.00: (2.75) Rayo Vallecano (3.10) Sociedad (2.70)

17.15: (2.40) Oviedo (3.30) Elche (3.00)

19.30: (2.15) Osasuna (3.45) Sevilla (3.70)

22.00: (2.10) Villareal (3.45) Celta (3.50)

Monday

22.00: (2.10) Espanyol (3.50) Levante (3.80)

***odds are subject to change***