MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “Claiming that referees have it in for Real Madrid means living in another galaxy. This narrative serves as an alibi to conceal other shortcomings, which are already visible to the naked eye in these opening games of the season. It is easier to imagine a conspiracy than to explain what is happening on the pitch.”
La Liga president Javier Tebas wrote this on social media in response to José Mourinho’s accusations, among others, against the referee following Real Madrid’s defeat in the derby against Atlético Madrid.
The head of Spanish football also commented on the controversial incidents from the match in an interview with Spanish daily AS, describing Huijsen’s red card as “beyond dispute”, while arguing that “the other foul did not warrant a red card. It was clear that he touched the ball first,” referring to Cristian Romero’s challenge.
Tebas adopted a more measured tone regarding Kang-In Lee’s studs-up challenge, which could have caused a serious injury to Federico Valverde: “It could have been a red card, perhaps it looked like one, and if it had been given there would have been nothing to argue about. On the other hand, the incident happened so quickly that I understand how things unfolded, that’s all.”
The 64-year-old Spanish football official absolved the referee of any responsibility, arguing that “Real Madrid did not lose because of these incidents.”
At the post-match press conference, José Mourinho had strongly criticised Ortiz Arias, saying that he “is not a great referee” and pointing, with photographic evidence, to the “two clear red cards” that were not shown to Simeone’s Atlético players.
The same line was taken by the Madrid club’s television channel, which Tebas described as an “unfair and cruel way of putting pressure on the referee.”
– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS)
