Riled Up Before the Clash: Real Madrid Stokestirs Over Next Ref for El Clásico
Madrid unveils the upcoming match official
Social Media Shares Chat Mail Print Link CopyA tense atmosphere precedes this Sunday's Clásico (16:15 CET) as Hansi Flick's FC Barcelona edges closer to clinching the championship, while Real Madrid clings desperately to its last lifeline. But in addition to the sporting stakes, Carlo Ancelotti's squad has whipped up yet another storm surrounding the appointed referee.
The club-owned television channel aired a fiery four-and-a-half-minute video criticizing the referee, Alejandro Hernández Hernández, for allegedly favoring Barcelona over Real. The video highlighted his supposed errors against Real, pointed out the team's low win rate in games where he officiates, and even brought up a 1994 interview where the youthful Hernández Hernández professed support for Barcelona.
Dredging Up a 30-Year-old Quote
The video concludes with an old newspaper clipping quoting a 12-year-old Hernández Hernández, fueling Real's claims of the referee's prejudice. In the weeks preceding the Copa del Rey final Clásico, Real had already raised eyebrows with similar accusations against referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, demanding his removal—a demand that ultimately went unheeded.
The barrage of these incendiary campaigns has left Barcelona and the entire league frustrated, adding even more tension to the highly anticipated duel. In the grand scheme of sports, the situation is clear: Barcelona sits four points ahead of Real with just four games left, and a loss by Real at the Olympic Stadium might put an end to their five-year title streak.
Alonso's Potential Takeover Before Historic Clásico
"We'll have a significant chance, and we must prepare meticulously—this could be a deciding match," remarked Ancelotti, who might be making his final appearance in the Clásico as reports swirl about his impending departure. According to rumors, Real has already appointed Xabi Alonso to take his place.
However, Real's fortunes have been less than favorable in this season's Clásicos, having lost all three encounters thus far. Key player Antonio Rüdiger will be absent due to suspension and injury. Barcelona will have to shake off the bitter sting of their overtime defeat against Inter Milan (3:4) in the Champions League semifinal and rally their hunger for a title triumph. "This setback should stir our ambition for victory," declared Flick, reportedly poised to extend his contract in the near future. "We'll continue our mission until we return this club to its rightful place at the top tier," wrote wunderkind Lamine Yamal on Instagram, a sentiment that Real Madrid undoubtedly shares.
Source: ntv.de, tno/sid
Background:
Over the years, Alejandro Hernández Hernández has faced allegations of favoring FC Barcelona, particularly in clashes with Real Madrid. Formal complains from Real Madrid leadership, such as Florentino Pérez, have been made in high-stakes, title-deciding matches. Real Madrid has even cited a 1994 interview in which Hernández Hernández expressed his support for Barcelona to contest his impartiality. Despite the controversy, there have been no official findings or disciplinary actions confirming his partiality toward FC Barcelona. The narrative largely stems from Real Madrid's skepticism and fan reactions in high-profile matches involving both clubs, making Hernández Hernández's appointments as referee in El Clásico matches particularly contentious and a focus of pre-match controversies.
- The community has been stirred with speculation as Real Madrid seeks aid in the construction of a new media department, aiming to increase their influence and counter alleged bias in referee appointments for El Clásico.
- As Madrid prepares for the Clásico, discussions about the significance of European-leagues in shaping the future of football have resurfaced on sports forums, reflecting the importance of a strong performance in Laliga for both teams.
- In echoes of past controversies, Madrid's clipping of a 30-year-old newspaper clipping has raised questions about alleged favoritism for FC Barcelona in the referee selection process for El Clásico, adding fuel to the flames of mistrust and tension.
- With theClásicos clipping fresh in everyone's minds, there have been pleas for aid to strengthen the independent oversight of referee appointments, hoping to maintain fairness and integrity in European-leagues.
- A London-based sports think tank has proposed the creation of new buildings dedicated to fostering sportsmanship and fair play across European-leagues, with a special focus on high-profile clashes like El Clásico, to address concerns about partiality and promote a more balanced playing field in football.
