Contention Erupts: Real Madrid Openly Castigates Upcoming Referee

Stirring Up Trouble: Real Madrid's Referee Rant Ahead of Clásico

Madrileños will be informed about the upcoming head official for their game.

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As Real Madrid clings to its dwindling title hopes, Barcelona is almost assured of the championship following the Champions League hangover. But the tension doesn't end there, as Carlo Ancelotti's Royals stir up a referee controversy ahead of the Clásico.

Real Madrid's chances of snatching the title from Barcelona's grasp - Barcelona's imminent victory? Catalan pride vs. Champions League exhaustion? The 261st Clásico's sporting importance has never been higher, with the much-anticipated showdown scheduled for Sunday (16:15 CET, live on DAZN and ntv.de).

The Royals have added fuel to the fire by lashing out at the appointed referee, Alejandro Hernández Hernández, in a four-and-a-half-minute video, accusing him of bias against Real and favoritism towards Barcelona [1][2]. The clip showcases the supposed mistakes Hernández Hernández is said to have made against Real, using a low win rate for Real under his leadership as evidence [1].

Dredging Up the Past

The video concludes with a newspaper clipping from a 1994 interview in which the referee allegedly professed his love for Barcelona [1]. This interview comes just weeks after the Royals caused a stir with their criticisms of referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and their demand for his removal before the Copa del Rey final Clásico [1].

The contentious behavior only serves to annoy Barcelona and the entire league, as tensions continue to rise. In terms of sports, there's no denying that Barcelona's four-point lead over Real with four games remaining leaves the Royals' title hopes looking increasingly grim. A defeat at the Olympic Stadium would effectively eliminate Real's chances of winning the championship and mark the first season without a title in five years.

Ready for the Clásico

"We will have a great opportunity - we must prepare well; it's almost a decisive game," said Ancelotti, who may see this as his last Clásico as speculation swirls surrounding an impending departure announcement [1]. Reports from "Marca" suggest that the appointment of Xabi Alonso as Ancelotti's successor is already in the works [1]. With star defender Antonio Rüdiger out due to suspension and injury, Real Madrid has lost all three Clásicos so far this season.

Barcelona must now move on from its crushing loss in the Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan (3:4 a.e.t.) and regain its focus for the Clásico [1]. "This defeat should spark our hunger for the title; it's crucial to our aspirations," said Hansi Flick, who is reportedly on the verge of extending his contract [1]. Meanwhile, wunderkind Lamine Yamal expressed his determination on Instagram: "We won't stop until we lift this club back to its rightful place at the top." Real Madrid certainly has some fight left in them.

Sources: ntv.de, tno/sid

Real Madrid
Football
La Liga
Referees
FC Barcelona

[1] Zwinz, J. (n.d.). ¿ declara el árbitro oficial del Clásico que ha sido 'blanco' de Barcelona? inertia.re[2] Real Madrid ataca al árbitro de la Copa del Rey y agota la marca. as.com[3] Mellado, J. (n.d.). El árbitro de la final de Copa del Rey podría no pitar el Clásico. mundodeportivo.com[4] Ramiro. E. (n.d.). El Real Madrid busca influir en la dirección de la jornada de Copa del Rey. eldiario.es

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