Real Madrid‘s clash against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday was marred by controversial refereeing decisions, igniting outrage among players and fans alike. The official Real Madrid TV channel, RMTV, did not hold back in its criticism of the officiating, particularly concerning two key penalty incidents that went unreviewed by VAR official Figueroa Vázquez.
In the 22nd minute, Jude Bellingham found himself at the center of controversy when he was clearly pulled back in the penalty area while attempting to connect with a cross. Despite the obvious infringement, the referee chose not to act, leaving many questioning the decision-making process. The second incident occurred late in the match when Kylian Mbappé was also brought down without any intervention from VAR. This lack of review sparked widespread indignation, especially given the gravity of the missed calls.
Expert Opinions on Missed Penalties
According to Iturralde González, a respected referee expert for AS, both situations warranted penalties. He stated, “It’s not just that he holds him; he pulls him back. That constitutes a penalty.” González elaborated that the rules define holding as an action that impedes a player’s movement, which is precisely what occurred with Bellingham. The failure to signal a penalty has raised eyebrows, particularly since Bellingham had to change his jersey due to the severity of the foul.
Comparisons with Other Matches
The frustration from Madrid’s camp is further intensified when comparing these incidents to recent matches involving rivals. RMTV highlighted a recent encounter between Barcelona and Vallecano where Lamine Yamal converted a penalty he had seemingly earned through simulation. The contrast has not gone unnoticed; Real Madrid TV pointed out that “Yamal’s simulation was far less clear than what happened to Mbappé.” This disparity in officiating has left fans and analysts alike questioning the consistency of VAR application in La Liga.
This latest episode comes on the heels of a worrying dip in form for Real Madrid, which has seen their lead at the top of La Liga shrink to just three points following this draw. The ongoing Negreira scandal has also been brought into discussions surrounding officiating biases, with RMTV suggesting that historical patterns trace back to previous controversies involving referees.
The implications of these missed penalties could be significant as Real Madrid strives to maintain its position in La Liga amidst fierce competition. With tensions running high and questions about integrity in officiating being raised, fans are left wondering if this will have lasting effects on their title ambitions.
As Real Madrid navigates through these challenges, one thing remains clear: questions about refereeing standards and VAR effectiveness will continue to dominate discussions as they push forward in their campaign.
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