Liga: Real Madrid’s controversial victory against Almería causes scandal

Often singled out for arbitration allegedly to its advantage, Real Madrid is not likely to resolve differences after this Sunday’s meeting. Faced with Almería on the occasion of the 21st day of La Liga, the Madrid club won with difficulty (3-2), relying once again on its handyman, Jude Bellingham, author of a goal from the penalty spot (57th) and a decisive pass in the very last moments of the match (90+9th). However, the manner employed and the excessive use of VAR is raising eyebrows on the other side of the Pyrenees. At the final whistle, defender Marc Pubill first let out a rant at the microphone of DAZNThe first of a long series.

“I think someone decided that we didn’t have the right to win here (at the Bernabéu) today, and that’s what happened. Nothing else to say”he commented, before being imitated by his teammate and scorer of the day Edgar Gonzalez: “many differences in treatment, it’s a competition that must be fair for everyone and sometimes it’s difficult to see that. Real’s first goal must be disallowed, there is a very clear foul just before, then there is a handball on the second goal (from Vinicius). For our refused goal, I saw nothing.» After video analysis, Hernandez Hernandez’s decision to cancel the Almeria goal seemed fair, however, Jude Bellingham having been caught illegally.

Expelled, the Almeria coach reveals his truths

Sent back to the locker room for having repeatedly challenged the decisions of match referee Hernandez Hernandez, Almeria coach Gaizka Garitano did not put on gloves in the post-match press conference: “This isn’t the first time this has happened to me here. (at the Bernabeu), I have no words to summarize what just happened today. Anyway, you all saw“, he blurted out, annoyed. His player, Gonzalo Melero, was even more spicy, shouting theft: “Today we were robbed. It bothers me to say that, but it’s the truth.” Clearly, Almeria feels wronged across the board, believing that the controversial decisions of Hernandez Hernandez, despite his over-request for VAR, have quite simply revived Real Madrid.

The disputed penalty awarded to Bellingham, the questionable equalizer from Vinicius, the 3-1 goal refused (rightly) in Almeria… Among pro-Madrilenian journalists, it is impossible to ignore this new controversy. Real Madrid follower Manu Sainz, correspondent for the Madrid daily A.S.himself tweeted: “Hernandez’s refereeing is extremely damaging to Real Madrid’s reputation. This scandalous arbitration legitimizes the criticism of anti-Madridristas. Madrid does not need refereeing like today to win.” Barcelona journalist Alfredo Martinez cried foul on him: “I have been broadcasting La Liga matches for 36 years. Since the introduction of VAR, I don’t remember such a serious scandal. Poor Almería.” A controversy which is unlikely to die down any time soon, even if Carlo Ancelotti believes that there is no reason to cry scandal on his side: “The referee made the right decisions today. Everything was correct even if I understand the reaction of Almeria. You shouldn’t say that to an Andalusian supporter today.