Real Madrid has once again found itself at the center of controversy.
Spain's Mundo Deportivo reported on the 1st (Korean time) that "Real Madrid's official channel Real Madrid TV aired another critical video regarding the referees for the match against Celta Vigo this weekend."
The focus of the controversy is on the referee assigned for this match, Jesús Gil Manzano, and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) official, Hernández Maeso. Real Madrid TV criticized the two referees by revisiting past decisions and claimed biased officiating.
Real especially pointed out Gil Manzano, calling him "the main character of the biggest referee scandal in recent years," recalling the moment when Jude Bellingham's goal was canceled in a past match against Valencia. Furthermore, it was noted that "he has been assigned as the referee for the Real Madrid-Celta Vigo match."
It was the same for Hernández Maeso. Real Madrid expressed distrust towards Maeso, who was assigned as the VAR official, mentioning cases where he did not call a penalty kick in past Madrid matches or canceled legitimate goals, as well as instances where he did not induce expulsions from the opposing team.
This public pressure on the referees before matches is a strategy that Real Madrid has frequently chosen this season. Real Madrid expressed dissatisfaction with the referees prior to the Copa del Rey final match against FC Barcelona held on the 27th.
At that time, they mobilized media with connections to their official channel to pressure the referees and initiated a war of public opinion. Real canceled a press conference and official training schedule in protest against the referee assignments for the Copa del Rey final the day before the match, and some local media even reported that "Real might boycott the final." It was a form of intimidation.
In response, Real emphasized in an official statement on the 26th that "we did not refuse the final. However, the comments made by the referees this time are clearly inappropriate and regrettable." The reason is that an undesired referee was assigned.
As a result, local rivals Atlético Madrid fired back, saying, "This situation has now reached an unbearable level. Real Madrid is repeatedly pushing Spanish football as a whole into a crisis. Real is mobilizing a 'friendly group of reporters' to spread their delusions." This criticism pointed out that Real is manipulating public opinion favorably by utilizing club media and friendly media.
Real has been criticized by football fans worldwide, but it seems there are no plans to change. Once again, they are throwing a fit, claiming that referees they do not favor have been assigned. While Real Madrid has been regarded as a top prestigious club in the football world, it is now seen as a club that merely causes trouble.
In the end, the video prepared by Real is interpreted not just as simple criticism, but as a political pressure on overall referee management and another form of Real Madrid's unique response.
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