Real Madrid out to hurt La Liga, playing victim: Javier Tebas
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Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe being fouled by Espanyol's Carlos Romero during their La Liga clash on Feb 1.
PHOTO: REUTERS
MADRID – La Liga president Javier Tebas said on Feb 6 that Spanish champions Real Madrid were playing the victim and have “lost their head” after they attacked refereeing in the country.
Los Blancos were beaten 1-0 at relegation-battling Espanyol on Feb 1, and subsequently sent a furious letter to the Spanish football federation blasting the country’s refereeing as “rigged” and “completely discredited”.
The league leaders were upset that Espanyol defender Carlos Romero avoided a red card for hacking down striker Kylian Mbappe and went on to score the winning goal.
“They are against everything. That’s the reality. Real Madrid wants to harm the competition (La Liga), not just the refereeing group,” said Tebas, who added that La Liga will lodge a complaint against Real.
“They have built a story of victimhood which is not true and I think the cherry on top was the letter they published the other day...
“The issue has been blown out of proportion, they have lost their head.”
Tebas was speaking after attending a meeting with La Liga clubs, the Spanish federation (RFEF) and representatives of Spain’s refereeing committee (CTA).
Spanish media said Real refused to attend the meeting, which was held in order to discuss improvements to football in the country.
CTA president Luis Medina Cantalejo suggested, among other measures, “audio recordings of VAR (video assistant referee) reviews be broadcast live, provided that Fifa authorises it”, the federation said in a statement.
RFEF chief Rafael Louzan, whose appeal against a seven-year ban from holding public office was upheld earlier on Feb 6, hailed the meeting as the start of a new era.
“Let this be the beginning of a new, different era, we have the opportunity to create it together,” he said.
In other news related to Real, the club’s former left-back Marcelo announced his retirement from professional football on Feb 6 after a trophy-laden career.
The 36-year-old Brazilian spent 15 years at Real, winning six La Liga titles and five Champions League trophies.
“At 18, Real Madrid came knocking on my door and I arrived here,” Marcelo said in a video on social media. “What a journey. Real Madrid is a unique club.”
He enjoyed a strong relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo, lifting four Champions Leagues with the Portuguese star.
“My brother, what an incredible career! We have lived a lot together, it has been years of achievements, victories and unforgettable moments,” Ronaldo said in a post on Instagram. “More than a teammate, a partner for life.”
Marcelo also won the Copa del Rey twice and the Club World Cup four times with Los Blancos, for whom he made 546 appearances, scoring 38 goals.
On the same day, Real said that another ex-stalwart – former Spain international Sergio Ramos – has joined Monterrey on a one-year deal.
The 38-year-old centre-back will arrive at the Mexican side seven months after leaving his boyhood club Sevilla. He made his La Liga debut with them in the 2003-04 season and moved to Real two years later, winning 22 titles with the Spanish giants, including five La Liga crowns, four Champions Leagues and four Club World Cups. AFP, REUTERS
