Barcelona president Joan Laporta considers Real Madrid’s win over Almeria a “disgrace” after a series of questionable refereeing decisions.
Los Blancos found themselves 2-0 up at the back of La Liga on Sunday at the Bernabeu. A Jude Bellingham penalty and a Vinicius Jr penalty gave them the point in the match. Carlo Ancelotti’s side took the win until stoppage time thanks to right-back Dani Carvajal. However, many had to question the referee after the match.
Bellingham’s penalty was only awarded after a VAR review, while Almeria also had a third goal disallowed after a debatable review. Vinicius Jr’s equaliser was also disallowed in the first place, only to be awarded via VAR, while the Brazilian was probably lucky to avoid it. A red card.
Real’s title rivals Barcelona have been left fuming by the officiating. As quoted by Mundo Deportivo, Catalan president Laporta said: “What happened (in Madrid) was a disgrace.
“The refereeing collective will have to respond to the pressures exerted this season. If they don’t, we’ll feel very uncomfortable because it’s a breach of our duties.
Real’s spectacular victory leaves them second in La Liga and just one point behind leaders Girona with a game in hand. Barcelona are seven points further behind.
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Laporta extra stated that his team has not been able to defeat its rivals due to the actions of the referees this season. And he added: “We, for our part, are satisfied to win.
“Every day we are stronger. Due to referee decisions we have not been able to cut points. I am optimistic this season. The team improves and is united.
“We have players of excellent quality; I am very optimistic, we will have our reward and the rest of the rivals will stumble like we did. What we are doing is working day by day to win all the competitions.”
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Laporta is not the only one who is furious about the weekend’s questionable decisions. Almería defender Gonzalo Melero has reported a robbery against his team at the Bernabéu.
Speaking after the match, he said: “We came away feeling like the game had been stolen from us. The penalty, the handball goal, the gesture, the goal disallowed for fighting.
“If we want to be the best league in the world, as is being said a lot… we are light years away. And it’s hard for me to say it, and it p***** me off, but it’s just that there’s no way to take it.
“There have been several this year, if you don’t complain, they won’t. But the current scenario exceeds all limits. It’s a real pleasure. Spanish football is now a few years away from the Premier League, that is the authenticity.
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