Real Madrid have filed a formal complaint to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) asking for the “immediate submission of VAR audio” related to two decisions in their 1-0 defeat by Espanyol.
The complaint follows referee Alejandro Muniz Ruiz’s decision to show Espanyol defender Carlos Romero a yellow card for a 60th-minute challenge on Kylian Mbappe as well as a disallowed goal by Vinicius Junior in the 21st minute after a foul by the France forward. Romero went on to score the game’s only goal in the 85th minute.
The letter, which was sent to RFEF president Rafael Louzan, has also been sent to the Spanish government’s High Sports Council (CSD).
“Real Madrid makes this formal complaint to the RFEF on the occasion of the scandalous performance of the refereeing and of the VAR,” the letter read.
“The events that took place in this match have exceeded any margin of human error or refereeing interpretation. What happened at the RCDE Stadium represents the culmination of a completely discredited refereeing system, in which the decisions against Real Madrid have reached a level of manipulation and adulteration of the competition that can no longer be ignored.
“The brutal tackle on Kylian Mbappe, from behind, on the calf and without any possibility of disputing the ball, carried out in the 60th minute of the match by the Espanyol player who would later end up scoring a goal.
“The referee (Muniz Ruiz) only showed a yellow card without the VAR (Iglesias Villanueva) in charge, intervening to correct a manifestly erroneous decision. This resulted in an unpunished aggression that in any other competition would have been in any other competition would have meant an exemplary sanction.
“In the 21st minute of the first half of the match, Vinicius Jr scored an absolutely legal goal, which was disallowed for an alleged previous foul by Mbappe. This was despite the fact that the images show that in that play it was our player who was fouled, a clear penalty, but the goal was disallowed and a penalty in favour was transformed into a foul against, without the VAR intervening to correct the error or even indicating to the referee to review the play on the monitor.
“The scandal generated by this match has once again had worldwide repercussions, with the international press denouncing the biased use of VAR in Spain and the lack of credibility of Spanish refereeing.”
Vinicius Jr’s goal was ruled out after Mbappe appeared to push Espanyol midfielder Pol Lozano in the build-up. Romero later lunged at Mbappe to stop a Madrid counter-attack, with his studs connecting with the striker’s knee.
“I knew Kylian is impossible to stop on the run,” Romero said afterwards. “I tried it as best I could, it was a bit ugly, I didn’t like it, I apologised to him.”
Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti also criticised the call in his press conference. “The decision made by the referee and the VAR is inexplicable,” Ancelotti said.
“Everyone saw it. The most important thing is to watch and protect the player, fortunately, nothing happened.”
The 1-0 defeat means Madrid are one point ahead of city rivals Atletico at the top of La Liga before the two meet on Saturday. Barcelona are four points behind the leaders in third place.
The RFEF, the Spanish referees’ committee and the CSD were contacted for comment by The Athletic.
(Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
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