Alvaro Arbeloa Targets LaLiga Referee As Madrid Title Hope Slip Away

Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has launched a new attack at Spanish referees, suggesting refereeing errors in La Liga often hamper the club’s title ambitions.

The Los Blancos are likely to end the season trophyless, having been dumped out of the UEFA Champions League and lagging behind Barcelona in the race to win LaLiga.

Madrid currently trail Barcelona by nine points in the title race, and will need their rival to lose guard for them to take first position.

Arbeloa pointed to recent domestic frustrations as evidence, following a series of contentious decisions. The frustration reached boiling point after a recent 1-1 draw with Girona, where Kylian Mbappe was denied what the club felt was a stonewall penalty.

Alvaro Arbeloa looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Getafe. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“There’s a reason, and it’s easy for many to see,” Arbeloa said when asked to explain why Madrid have won six Champions League titles in the last 20 years, while only securing seven league titles in that same period. “We certainly have room for improvement in La Liga in recent years, and in these past few months, I think we’ve performed better in the big, difficult games than against lesser opponents.”

Arbeloa’s criticism is the latest in a long-standing battle between Madrid and the Spanish refereeing body, particularly in the wake of the Negreira investigation.

The Spanish tactician did not hold back on the matter, previously labelling the case “the biggest scandal in Spanish football.”

He added on Monday: “But we’ve also experienced situations like [the penalty appeal] in the Girona game, which make it easier for Real Madrid to win a Champions League than La Liga.”

Madrid are looking likely to end a second consecutive season without a major trophy.

Arbeloa acknowledged the pressure, noting that “it’s two seasons without winning anything, and the last time [that happened] was more than 20 years ago.”

He continued: “Real Madrid is a club where things usually go well. The mentality of this club is always to look to the future. At Real Madrid, losing isn’t acceptable… We have to win our seven remaining matches.”

Arbeloa took over from Xabi Alonso who was sacked after eight months in-charge and it’s still unknown if he’ll be given the job in the summer.