The Spanish Referees Committee (CTA) has weighed in on a contentious moment during the recent Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid, as debate over officiating intensifies following Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez’s accusations that his club has been disadvantaged by refereeing decisions this season.
Pérez launched a scathing attack on Monday during a press conference, stating: “Three years ago we uncovered the Negreira case, the biggest scandal in football history. Payments spanned two full decades, but the problem is that a third decade is seeing the same referees continue.” He added, “We have prepared a video showing the 18 points we have been denied this season.”
Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 2-0 last Sunday, effectively sealing the La Liga title with three matches remaining.
The CTA, in its weekly analysis program, defended referee Hernández Hernández’s decision not to award a penalty for an incident involving Barcelona defender Eric García and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham. Despite Madrid’s claim that Bellingham was struck in the face, the committee stated the official was correct to wave play on. “Contact in such situations must be assessed based on intensity, intent, and outcome,” the committee explained. “In this case, the contact occurred as part of the defender’s natural movement, and his arm made contact with the opponent’s face during that motion.”
The committee further stressed that no penalty was warranted: “We believe the on-field decision can be supported. This is an entirely interpretable situation, and according to VAR protocol, it does not constitute a clear and obvious error. Therefore, the VAR’s non-intervention aligns with the rules.”