What you might have missed from Real Betis 1 – 1 Real Madrid: Post-match reactions, refereeing controversy, and Real Madrid TV’s response

Real Madrid TV criticizes refereeing decisions and CTA

Real Madrid TV issued strong criticism of the refereeing, particularly focusing on the CTA (Technical Committee of Referees) and its members. The club’s channel questioned the presence of Gregorio Manzano within the refereeing structure:

“LaLiga imposes a former Atlético player…” They specifically named Fran Soto, Teixeira Vitienes, and Gregorio Manzano, referencing Soto’s stance on the Negreira case, Vitienes’ historical record involving Real Madrid, and Manzano’s past as Atlético Madrid manager. “Gregorio Manzano is being imposed by LaLiga. Among several top-flight managers, he held the Atlético 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: ‘Something always happens, right? Something always happens in Real Madrid’s 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 Atlético Madrid manager.’” Real Madrid TV also opened its broadcast with broader criticism of officiating in La Liga: “Not 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 Madrid’s interests.”

Focus on specific refereeing decisions

The club highlighted a first-half incident involving a potential handball by Ricardo Rodríguez:

“Minute 22. Brahim tries to control the ball, attempts a shot, and the ball clearly hits Ricardo Rodríguez’s 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 you’ll see there’s no offside whatsoever. It’s a clear handball. A penalty should have been awarded.” They also referenced the role of VAR official González Fuertes: “The VAR official was González Fuertes, the same referee who, exactly one year ago, threatened Real Madrid in the pre-Copa del Rey final press conference.” Real Madrid TV emphasized the speed of the VAR review: “Only 12 seconds pass from when Soto Grado blows his whistle for a handball and signals for play to resume. In those 12 seconds, González Fuertes, from the VAR booth, has been able to verify whether it was a handball and whether it was a handball or not.” They further argued that officiating criteria were not properly applied: “Neither Soto Grado on the pitch nor González Fuertes in the VAR booth took into account the criteria published by the CTA… The handball is punishable and meets all the requirements.” The segment concluded with continued criticism: “Another matchday, and another very serious error that once again harms Real Madrid… The refereeing was deplorable.” Real Madrid TV also reiterated concerns about referee assignments: “We weren’t very calm when we learned of the referee appointments for this league match. Soto Grado on the field and González Fuertes in the VAR booth.”