Real Madrid have again criticised the state of refereeing in La Liga after star midfielder Federico Valverde was sent off during Sunday night’s 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid.
Valverde was sent in for an early shower after a cynical trip on Alex Baena. The Uruguayan who was shown a straight red card will now serve a two-game domestic suspension, ruling him out of the upcoming clashes with Mallorca and Girona after the international break.
While the tackle looked soft, the decision from referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero was checked and cleared by the assistant video referee and the official’s match report later claimed Valverde “kicked an opponent, without being within striking distance, using excessive force”.
Real Madrid have been consistent in voicing out their frustration over referee performance this season via Real Madrid TV, and the trend continued.
The Spanish giant used the medium to once again lash out at the state of officiating and insisting a yellow card would have sufficed.
Federico Valverde was shown a Red Card as Real Madrid defeated Atletico de Madrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
“This is a scandal, this is a disgrace, that sums up this action. It’s a clear yellow card offense, it’s blatant, but if we remember what happened in Pamplona we can understand this and why VAR didn’t call him,” they said.
“You’re going to hear that the problem is Real Madrid TV, that they make videos. We’re doing this to denounce the fact that this can never be a red card, it’s a textbook yellow. Baena touches the ball, moves it away, and that’s why Valverde doesn’t touch it. He didn’t try to ruin the derby, he tried to ruin Real Madrid, which isn’t the same thing. Then we’ll see ‘Time for Justification,’ where they might even agree with him.
“I’m sure he’ll justify this action and say that both the referee and the VAR official were right. This can’t be; a player shouldn’t be sent off for this. Then they’ll try to sell you a load of rubbish, they’ll talk about intensity, that there’s no ball. Of course there’s the ball, but Valverde can’t reach it because Baena touches it.”
Federico Valverde scores during the La Liga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Atlético de Madrid. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa also disagreed with the decision, but thanked Munuera Montero for being given an explanation.
He said: “We showed character and mental strength. We had to suffer with one less player. I have a different view of the red card, but I thank Jose Luis for coming to explain to me why he sent him off. We were able to take the three points, which is what we wanted.
“He told me that it was excessive force and I don’t consider it as such. There is no intent to hurt or injure the opponent. It’s my view, different from his. But he came to explain it and I appreciate it. Sometimes it’s appreciated, even if it doesn’t change anything. The red card made everything more difficult and we had to suffer a lot. Every victory is a turning point. Now comes a fight for the league. Objective accomplished.”
Real Madrid will now be without Valverde for their first two domestic games after the international break. However, he will be available for the quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
