At the heart of a major scandal in Spain since Saturday due to his controversial performance during Osasuna – Real Madrid, referee José Luis Munuera Montero is in danger. Hours after this match, which has caused much ink to be spilled, terrible threats are hanging over the Spanish official.
In La Liga, he is currently the most criticised referee. In charge of the match between Osasuna and Real Madrid on Saturday evening, as part of the 24th matchday of La Liga, José Luis Munuera delivered a highly controversial performance. After failing to award clear penalties to Carlo Ancelotti’s side early in the game, the referee, who has already shown his affection for Barcelona, sent off Jude Bellingham for an insult that wasn’t one. Criticised by all Madrilenians and some non-Madrilean observers for his contentious decisions, Munuera is caught in the middle of discontented supporters.
José Luis Munuera threatened with death
As Cope reported on Sunday, José Luis Munuera is being targeted by tens of thousands of insulting, even threatening messages. On his Instagram account, which he was forced to restrict to stop receiving messages, the referee is enduring very serious threats. “Your family will be…” (accompanied by emojis of a knife and a drop of blood) is one of the messages recorded by the X account of the show Tiempo de Juego. That’s not all. In the same vein, Mundo Deportivo reveals further sharp attacks.
Highly upset by the referee’s performance, which most likely influenced the final result of the match (1-1), unfavourable to Real Madrid, some supporters have revealed their plans. “I’m going to kill you, you should fear for your children, you’ll end up limping after we cross paths in the street,” one message reads. These are serious threats that speak volumes about the frustration of Madrilenians with Spanish referees. No matter the situation, we must not cross the line.
Real Madrid’s actions against the referees
After Saturday’s match, Real Madrid once again expressed its anger at the referees who, for the past three weeks, seem determined to get everything wrong. Apart from the draw on Saturday, Carlo Ancelotti’s team suffered a major injustice on the pitch against Espanyol Barcelona during the 22nd matchday. The following weekend, especially in the Madrid derby, things didn’t go in favour of the Merengues.
In any case, Real Madrid has no intention of backing down until things change regarding Spanish refereeing. On Monday, José Ángel Sánchez, Florentino Pérez’s right-hand man, was at the Spanish Football Federation to file a complaint about the red card given by Munuera to Jude Bellingham and, moreover, to have a discussion with the technical committee of referees, as reported by El Chiringuito TV. We are waiting to see the aftermath of these new actions.
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