Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz has been at the centre of attention since Saturday evening. The referee of the Espanyol – Real Madrid match, the Spanish official, delivered a cataclysmic performance. Often protected by LaLiga, the referee and his assistants were clearly discredited after their controversial display.
Real Madrid suffered a bitter defeat in LaLiga. Away at Espanyol Barcelona, Carlo Ancelotti’s side lacked precision in front of goal. While referee Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz had disallowed a fine goal from Vinícius Júnior due to an alleged foul by Kylian Mbappé on a defender, he worsened matters by failing to issue a clear red card to Carlos Romero, another Espanyol defender. Indeed, as KM9 launched a counter-attack, the Espanyol full-back made a very dangerous challenge, as he himself later admitted.
LaLiga TV reveals the truth
While all the Spanish media have expressed their disbelief at the referee’s decision to only show a yellow card, LaLiga’s official television channel, led by Javier Tebas, added to the controversy. Just after the final whistle of the match, which the Madrileños lost (1-0) thanks to a goal from the very player who should have been sent off in the 61st minute, LaLiga’s official channel confirmed that Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz’s decision was incorrect. “It is a clear red card on Mbappé. It’s high, dangerous, he doesn’t play the ball and only seeks to take Mbappé out of the game.”
This is a major blow for the Spanish official and all his colleagues on the day. Accused of a conspiracy against Real Madrid by Florentino Pérez, Spanish referees now find themselves in a situation where they cannot defend themselves. Had Romero been rightly sent off, the game could have taken a completely different turn. Completely pinned back by Ancelotti’s men, who finished the match with over 70% possession, Espanyol would have struggled even more with a man down.
Archivo VAR gives Muñiz a 1/10 rating
A media outlet specialising in refereeing decisions in Spain, Archivo VAR, which closely follows the rulings of the Spanish refereeing committee, gave a damning verdict on Muñiz Ruiz’s performance.“Terrifying refereeing from Muñiz Ruiz and the VAR during Espanyol – Real Madrid. Impossible to do worse. He missed a clear penalty and spared Romero from a red card after a very dangerous tackle on Mbappé. To top it off, it was Romero himself who secured Espanyol’s victory.”
Given the current situation, it is clear that the referee at the heart of this controversy will be sidelined for a few LaLiga matches or even receive official reprimands. If no action is taken, it will only confirm suspicions that a plot is underway to prevent Real Madrid from picking up points in the Spanish league.
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