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Real Madrid, through its official media arm, Real Madrid TV (RMTV), has consistently utilized its platform, including video content distributed on its YouTube channel, to publicly and systematically criticize the appointment and past performance of referees ahead of key matches, especially El Clásico against FC Barcelona. This practice, frequently framed as “statistical analysis” of officiating records, has generated significant controversy and accusations of attempting to pressure officials.
The Pattern of Public Scrutiny
The club’s media strategy involves producing and disseminating videos that focus on referees designated for major fixtures. These segments often highlight alleged past errors and unfavorable statistics against Real Madrid under a specific official.
- Targeting El Clásico Officials: Ahead of recent matches, RMTV has produced videos on the referees assigned to the rivalry game, such as Alejandro Hernández Hernández and Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, meticulously detailing decisions that went against the club in prior games.
- The Content: The videos typically employ dramatic music and curated footage to suggest a pattern of systemic bias. For instance, in one case, RMTV focused on a referee’s win percentage when officiating Real Madrid matches, comparing it unfavorably to that of their rivals.
Reactions and Criticism
The club’s campaign has drawn strong reactions from across the Spanish football landscape, raising questions about ethical media practices and the protection of match officials.
- Accusations of Pressure: Critics, including La Liga President Javier Tebas, have repeatedly accused Real Madrid of using its media outlet to “damage La Liga” and undermine the integrity of the refereeing body by creating an atmosphere of pressure and hostility. Tebas has publicly stated that Real Madrid TV complains “every week.”
- Referees’ Emotional Toll: The public scrutiny has taken a personal toll on officials. In one high-profile incident ahead of a Copa del Rey final, the designated referee held an emotional press conference, stating the criticism had negatively affected his family. This prompted a strong statement of solidarity from the Spanish refereeing community, though the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) rejected the club’s subsequent request to replace the official.
- Club’s Defense: Real Madrid has defended the videos as an exercise of “freedom of expression” and maintains that its actions are a justified response to what it perceives as poor or biased officiating. Following the emotional press conference by one referee, the club issued a statement calling the official’s public comments “unacceptable” and indicative of animosity toward Real Madrid.
The use of the club’s official media channels to focus intense, targeted scrutiny on referees has become a defining and highly debated element of the build-up to the most significant matches in Spanish football, particularly the iconic clash between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
