Despite Real Madrid’s dramatic 1-0 victory over Athletic Club, the club’s official channel, Real Madrid TV, chose not to focus its attention on two refereeing controversies that have ignited fury within the club and its supporters.
The first incident they highlighted was Vinicius Jr.’s disallowed goal in the 80th minute.
The strike was ruled out for an offside by Endrick, who was adjudged to have interfered in the build-up by just a few centimetres — the tip of his boot apparently enough to trigger the VAR call.
Real Madrid TV, according to AS, expressed deep scepticism over the VAR system used, especially regarding the frame selection in the semi-automatic offside technology.
“Where is the ball in the semi-automatic? It doesn’t appear. You just have to believe it,” they said, questioning the transparency of the system.
“And how are we going to believe this system by Clos Gomez, with Mediapro’s direction, given what we see week after week? It’s impossible.”
The second incident
The second flashpoint was a potential penalty on Jude Bellingham, who appeared to be brought down by Unai Nunez in the box.
To Real Madrid’s outrage, the VAR officials opted not to review the incident. Real Madrid TV didn’t mince words:
“This is third-world. It’s laughing in the face of football fans in general, and Real Madrid fans in particular.”
On the Bellingham penalty, the channel echoed Carlo Ancelotti’s post-match remark about “the new football,” referring to decisions that seem to go against Real Madrid more often than not.
“If Camavinga’s contact in Pamplona was a penalty after the ball had already gone, then why on earth wasn’t this one? Martinez Munuera already cost us a title before, and now he was close toscoring a double.”
The Barcelona clash
To add fuel to the fire, they brought up Barcelona’s match against Celta Vigo, highlighting what they saw as double standards in refereeing.
They were particularly incensed about Raphinha, claiming he should have been sent off for an alleged elbow on Iago Aspas, and also questioned the timing of the penalty awarded to Barça’s Dani Olmo.
“The clearest footage of the alleged assault only surfaced after the match. During the game, it was conveniently unavailable,” they claimed, suggesting manipulation or bias.
Mocking the conversation
After the VAR audio of the Vinicius disallowed goal was released by the CTA, Real Madrid TV doubled down on their accusations. They mocked the conversation between the officials and used scathing language:
“It’s the umpteenth joke from Medina Cantalejo. They’re disqualified from the profession but still rewarded.
“That’s why FIFA hasn’t called up any Spaniards for the Club World Cup. Either they’re not good enough, or FIFA suspects them, just like we do.”
In a closing jab loaded with sarcasm, the presenters joked:
“They tell us the VAR room is still reviewing Valverde’s goal… maybe they will find a way to disallow it too.”
This fiery reaction from Real Madrid’s in-house media signals not only frustration with individual decisions but a growing distrust of the VAR system.
With tensions now boiling, this is unlikely to be the last we hear from the capital club on refereeing matters.
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