Again, Real Madrid Criticizes La Liga Referee Leadership

Real Madrid still regret the results of the series at home to Rayo Vallecano (Instagram/@realmadrid).

JAKARTA - Real Madrid still have not forgotten the results of the 3-3 series against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Sunday, December 15, 2024, early morning WIB.

Los Blancos claimed that they should have been able to win the match. They appointed the referee as the culprit for failing to get the three points.

After the match, Los Blancos uploaded a match report with the title "Controversial Wasit Rejects Madrid's Victory" on social media and on the club's website.

They attacked referee Juan Martinez Munuera's decision not to give a penalty for Mumin's foul on Vinicius Junior in the second half.

"In the 75th minute there was the most controversial game in the match. Vini Junior was clearly brought down inside the penalty area by Mumin, but Martinez Munuera did not give a penalty, nor did there be any warning from (Pablo) Gonzalez Fuertes, the VAR referee," wrote Real Madrid report.

Real Madrid trailed 0-2 to the hosts through goals from Unai Lopez (4') and Abdul Mumin (36') headers, before Federico Valverde (39') and Jude Bellingham (45') equalized to 2-2.

Rodrygo put the visitors ahead in the second half in the 56th minute. However, the contents of the Palazon equalized for Rayo Vallecano eight minutes later.

Los Blancos also had to settle for a draw that made them fail to reach the top of the standings from Barcelona.

Currently Carlo Ancelotti's team are in third place with a difference of one point from the Blaugrana and Atletico Madrid.

Meanwhile, this is not the only time Real Madrid has criticized the referee's leadership. They have frequently criticized the referee's performance this season, by regularly broadcasting videos on the club's TV channel, Real Madrid TV, highlighting referees' mistakes.

"Looking at the replay, the penalty was very clear to me. There was a draw."

"The draw with Mallorca and Las Palmas (in August 2024) is completely different from this draw (against Rayo Vallecano. We are on the right track."

"The draw between Mallorca and Las Palmas made me nervous, but this draw didn't. I thought it would be very difficult for us to find a balance and attitude (this season), but we have found it."

"We have the same attitude as last year, the same commitment, the same quality," said coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Next, Real Madrid will take action again on Thursday, December 19, 2024, against Pachuca (Mexico) in the 2024 Intercontinental Cup final.

A number of names that were previously absent were brought by Ancelotti to Doha, Qatar. The Italian coach deliberately gave Vinicius and Eduardo Camavinga minimal time to get fit against Pachuca.

In fact, Kylian Mbappe, who was absent against Rayo due to injury, was also included in the squad containing 24 players.

Real Madrid just doesn't have the names that still have to be in the treatment room, such as Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao, David Alaba, and Dani Carvajal.

"Rodrygo is back against Rayo. (Eduardo) Camavinga is also back. (David) Alaba is coming back. I started 2025 passionately. We fought for everything."

"(Vinicius) didn't play starter because he hasn't played 90 minutes since his injury."

"We prefer him to play in the second half, which may not be too intense. He played well," said Ancelotti.