NFL Draft: Steelers select running back with Christian McCaffrey comp
Steelers select Navy running back Eli Heidenreich in 2026 NFL Draft
Real Madrid and Real Betis played to a 1-1 draw, with post-match reactions highlighting refereeing controversies. Both teams expressed dissatisfaction with officiating decisions, while Real Madrid TV criticized the Technical Committee of Referees for perceived biases.
Mentioned in this story
Diego Llorente addressed Ălvaro Arbeloaâs complaints about the referee, acknowledging the broader nature of such reactions:
âIâm surprised, but to a degree. Everyone fights for their goals and claims what they believe is right. For us, there was also a play by Brahim that could have been a handball. Everyone has the right to complain.â Llorente also reflected on the match itself, highlighting Betisâ performance after the opening stages: âTheyâre a team that seems out of sorts, but they have players who can counter-attack very quickly. After the first 20 minutes, we were very focused. We created chance after chance. Lunin made a lot of saves. It was only fair that we scored a goal. At halftime, we said that was the way forward. The substitutions were positive. At this stage, any point against top teams is valuable.â echoed similar sentiments regarding refereeing decisions: âWell, we complained about Brahimâs handball. Thatâs football. Sometimes fair, sometimes unfair. After all the chances we had, when I saw the referee hesitating in the final seconds, I thought, âThey canât disallow this goal now.â If youâre going to call that foul, youâll call that handball too. Justice was served in that respect. I understand the referees; itâs difficult to get it right in every situation.â
Key controversies included a potential handball by Ricardo RodrĂguez that was not called and complaints about the officiating from both teams.
Betis players Diego Llorente and HĂ©ctor BellerĂn acknowledged the refereeing issues, mentioning a handball incident and expressing that both teams have the right to complain.
Real Madrid TV criticized the Technical Committee of Referees, questioning the presence of former Atlético Madrid manager Gregorio Manzano and highlighting perceived biases in officiating.
Real Madrid TV pointed out a first-half incident where Brahim's shot hit Ricardo RodrĂguez's hand, arguing it should have been a penalty despite the referee claiming offside.
Steelers select Navy running back Eli Heidenreich in 2026 NFL Draft
Seahawks add physical cornerback Andre Fuller in 2026 draft
Cincinnati Bengals draft Texas TE Jack Endries in 7th round of 2026 NFL Draft
How to watch Inter Miami vs New England Revolution live on Apple TV
Colts select Kentucky RB Seth McGowan with 237th pick in 2026 NFL Draft
The Titans have completed the trade of Jarvis Brownlee Jr. to the Jets.
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
Real Madrid TV issued strong criticism of the refereeing, particularly focusing on the CTA (Technical Committee of Referees) and its members. The clubâs channel questioned the presence of Gregorio Manzano within the refereeing structure:
âLaLiga imposes a former AtlĂ©tico playerâŠâ They specifically named Fran Soto, Teixeira Vitienes, and Gregorio Manzano, referencing Sotoâs stance on the Negreira case, Vitienesâ historical record involving Real Madrid, and Manzanoâs past as AtlĂ©tico Madrid manager. âGregorio Manzano is being imposed by LaLiga. Among several top-flight managers, he held the AtlĂ©tico Madrid job in two separate spells: the first in 2003 and the second in 2011. He was dismissed while in eleventh place. After losing a derby 4-1, he expressed himself thus in a press conference: âSomething always happens, right? Something always happens in Real Madridâs favor at certain times. This is the first time a coach has been part of the CTA, which is responsible for referee appointments, and LaLiga imposes Gregorio Manzano, a former AtlĂ©tico Madrid manager.ââ Real Madrid TV also opened its broadcast with broader criticism of officiating in La Liga: âNot a single La Liga matchday goes by without having to talk about the referees. Not a single La Liga matchday goes by without a refereeing error that seriously harms Real Madridâs interests.â
The club highlighted a first-half incident involving a potential handball by Ricardo RodrĂguez:
âMinute 22. Brahim tries to control the ball, attempts a shot, and the ball clearly hits Ricardo RodrĂguezâs hand. Soto Grado decides not to call anything, claiming the play is invalid due to offside. We can watch it repeatedly on a loop, and youâll see thereâs no offside whatsoever. Itâs a clear handball. A penalty should have been awarded.â They also referenced the role of VAR official GonzĂĄlez Fuertes: âThe VAR official was GonzĂĄlez Fuertes, the same referee who, exactly one year ago, threatened Real Madrid in the pre-Copa del Rey final press conference.â Real Madrid TV emphasized the speed of the VAR review: âOnly 12 seconds pass from when Soto Grado blows his whistle for a handball and signals for play to resume. In those 12 seconds, GonzĂĄlez Fuertes, from the VAR booth, has been able to verify whether it was a handball and whether it was a handball or not.â They further argued that officiating criteria were not properly applied: âNeither Soto Grado on the pitch nor GonzĂĄlez Fuertes in the VAR booth took into account the criteria published by the CTA⊠The handball is punishable and meets all the requirements.â The segment concluded with continued criticism: âAnother matchday, and another very serious error that once again harms Real Madrid⊠The refereeing was deplorable.â Real Madrid TV also reiterated concerns about referee assignments: âWe werenât very calm when we learned of the referee appointments for this league match. Soto Grado on the field and GonzĂĄlez Fuertes in the VAR booth.â