Real Madrid News
Spanish Super Cup final referee hits out at Real Madrid TV over videos: “They encourage hatred”
Referees have been at the Centrepoint of discussion in Spanish football this week, especially ahead of Wednesday’s Super Cup semifinal between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
Unhappy with the appointment of Javier Alberola Rojas as the referee, Real Madrid TV posted a video showcasing the referee’s mistakes in the past, before and after the game.
The videos posted a lot of controversy within the Spanish referees’ association, which has already come under fire in light of the recent Negreira revelations.
The President of the Technical Committee of the Referees spoke strongly against Real Madrid and accused the club of putting pressure on the officials before key matches.
Soto Grado responds to Real Madrid videos
Now, Soto Grado, the VAR referee for the Super Cup final between Barcelona and Real Madrid has opened up on these videos posted by Madrid.
“Real Madrid TV videos don’t help. They encourage hatred towards the referee. I don’t know if that’s their goal, but they’ll not achieve it because we are a strong collective,” Grado said (h/t Diario AS), heading into the game.
This is a strong statement coming from the Spaniard, who has been officiating top-flight games in Spanish football since 2019.
This is not the first time Real Madrid have posted videos of referees’ misdoings heading into matches. Earlier in the season, Los Blancos had put out a video heading into the Cadiz game, with the 39-year-old Guillermo Squares Fernández being the recipient.
Barcelona, for their part, have yet to issue any response to the Real Madrid videos. But it must be noted that the Catalans have been under pressure themselves in light of the referees’ being questioned on the Negreira case.
Real Madrid News
La Liga icon critical of Real Madrid duo after derby defeat: ‘Takes much more away than he gives’
Real Madrid have already lost two of their opening seven La Liga matches, against Real Betis and Atletico Madrid, leaving Jose Mourinho’s side under significant pressure in the early stages of the campaign.
After all, Barcelona have won all of their matches and have taken a six-point lead at the top of the table, whereas Los Blancos currently sit fourth in the standings.
The defeat to Atletico Madrid this past weekend, in particular, has drawn a lot of criticism towards the team, although Mourinho did not accept responsibility for the defeats in his post-match press conference, instead pointing to the referees.
Nevertheless, the team’s performances have consequently come under scrutiny, with former Real Madrid star and La Liga icon Santiago Canizares offering his assessment on COPE (via SPORT).
Strong criticism of Vinicius Jr. and Marc Cucurella
The former Real Madrid goalkeeper was also highly critical of Vinicius Jr.’s current performances.
The Brazilian is now one of the club captains, but Canizares believes his contribution has been insufficient.
“He’s a player who, at the moment, and especially with the captain’s armband, I think takes much more away than he gives,” he said.
Canizares also questioned the form of Real Madrid summer signing, Marc Cucurella, arguing that the left-back has not reproduced the level he showed with Spain.
“He isn’t the player we saw at the World Cup,” the former shot-stopper stated.
The former goalkeeper was nevertheless keen to distinguish Cucurella’s current form from his overall quality, saying:
“I’m not questioning him because his ability is beyond doubt, but he isn’t currently the player we saw at the World Cup, at the Euros or with the Spanish national team in general.”
Canizares backs Real Madrid’s complaints
Meanwhile, Canizares also addressed the refereeing decisions made by Ortiz Arias, particularly two challenges involving Real Madrid players that could have resulted in red cards, saying:
“Mourinho is right. Madrid supporters are right that the referee did not help them.”
However, the former goalkeeper identified what he considers to be a broader issue with the club’s sporting planning.
He pointed to the failed attempt to sign Rodri, the decision to spend more than €140 million on Yan Diomande and the renewal of Vinicius.
Canizares was particularly critical of the fee paid for Diomande, as he said: “He’s a good player, but they paid twice what he’s worth.”
He added that, in his view, the deal was connected to negotiations involving Vinicius and his representatives.
“It was a price that had to be paid for Vinícius’ representatives to say yes to the Vinícius offer,” he said.
Cañizares’ comments come as Real Madrid look to respond to their difficult start and address a number of concerns surrounding Mourinho’s squad once the international break is over.
