The Whirlwind Before the Clásico: Real Madrid Takes Aim at the Referee
Madrid unveils the upcoming match official.
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-mail Print Copy Link
Fact or fiction, here comes the drama once again! With Barcelona nearly clinching the title, Real Madrid is clinging to the tiniest chance. But before the Clásico, there's another referee storm brewing - this time, initiated by the "Royals."
The match on Sunday (16:15 CET on DAZN and live ticker on ntv.de) is already explosive, and now, Real Madrid has stepped up their game by launching an outrageous referee criticism campaign against appointed referee Alejandro Hernández Hernández. The accusations? Bias against Real Madrid and favoritism towards Barcelona.
Real Madrid TV presents a tell-all video, showcasing the questionable decisions the referee has made against Real in the past, along with their low win rate under his leadership. To further play up the bias card,Real Madrid TV even dredged up a newspaper clipping of a 1994 interview, where the referee admitted to having a favorite team: Barcelona.
Digging up Dirt: A Decades-Old Interview
You read it right, an interview from 1994, when Hernández Hernández was just 12 years old! Real Madrid has a knack for finding old dirt, and they’re not done yet. This rendition comes just before the Copa del Rey final Clásico a few weeks ago, where the "Royals" stirred the pot by demanding the removal of a different referee, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea.
Although a threatened boycott didn’t materialize last time, these mudslinging campaigns are beyond annoying, both for Barcelona and the entire league, and the powder keg is getting hotter than ever. Barcelona currently leads Real with a four-point advantage, and if they win at the Olympic Stadium, Real's title dreams will turn into dust, setting the stage for a first season without a title in five years.
The Final Act: Alonso Joins the Fray
"We will have a great opportunity, we have to prepare well - it's almost a decisive game," said coach Carlo Ancelotti. If this is truly his last Clásico, it promises to be a doozy. According to "Marca," the signing of Xabi Alonso as Ancelotti's successor has already been sealed. Real has struggled in this season's Clásicos, with German national player Antonio Rüdiger missing this time due to suspension and injury.
On the opposing side, Barcelona has the bitter taste of a Champions League semi-final defeat against Inter Milan (3:4 a.e.t.) still lingering, and they’ve got to shake it off fast. "This defeat must awaken the hunger for the title win, that's important for me. We are not done yet," said coach Hansi Flick. Flick is also on the verge of extending his contract soon. The team will not stop until they place the club where it truly belongs: at the top.
Young star Lamine Yamal from Real Madrid vocalized this sentiment on Instagram, “Real Madrid will certainly have something to say about that.” Brace yourselves, because the Clásico promises to pack a punch!
Source: ntv.de, tno/sid
Fact check:
- The history of referee bias allegations by Real Madrid towards Alejandro Hernández Hernández in Clásico matches centers primarily around claims of partiality in favor of FC Barcelona. These allegations heighten when Hernández is appointed to officiate high-stakes El Clásico matches with significant title implications.
- Real Madrid, the club, and its president Florentino Pérez have expressed dissatisfaction and accusations of bias against Hernández, citing a past statement where he reportedly admitted supporting Barcelona in a 1994 interview. This has fueled concerns about his impartiality in El Clásico matches involving the two rivals.
- Hernández is a trusted referee with over 400 senior matches officiated, including 234 La Liga fixtures. However, due to Real Madrid’s allegations, his appointments in El Clásico fixtures continue to be met with scrutiny by the Real Madrid camp.
- The community of Real Madrid fans is expressing concern over alleged bias against their team by referee Alejandro Hernández Hernández, pointing to past decisions and a 1994 interview where he admitted favoring Barcelona.
- Aid for the construction of new buildings may be required in Madrid, not just for stadiums, but also for sports facilities to accommodate the increasing demand generated by the passionate community involved in football and European leagues like Laliga.
- Despite the ongoing allegations and mudslinging, the significance of the upcoming Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona cannot be denied, serving as a potential turning point in the title race with Barcelona holding a four-point advantage.
- The hangover from Barcelona's Champions League semi-final defeat against Inter Milan still lingers, and the team must shake it off quickly to focus on clinching the title in this season's Laliga.
- Sid, a football enthusiast and potential sports analyst, could provide valuable insights into the ongoing controversies and events surrounding El Clásico, adding another layer of excitement to this highly-anticipated game.
