Real Madrid TV have launched a scathing fresh attack on another referee in the run-up to their LaLiga clash with Celta Vigo this weekend.
Real Madrid’s in-house television channel have previously been outspoken about officials, and even last week aired a highly critical video on Thursday targeting referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea.
The segment claimed that Real Madrid had won 64 per cent of their matches officiated by De Burgos, compared to an 81 per cent win rate for Barcelona under his watch.
A narrator described the difference as ‘incredible’, while De Burgos Bengoetxea’s competence was questioned and images of alleged mistakes made throughout his career were shown on screen.
Following the release of the video, De Burgos Bengoetxea gave an emotional press conference on Friday in which he broke down in tears while defending his integrity.
Now, less than a week after their previous scathing editorial, the channel has again hit out at another official, Gil Manzano, who will officiate their match with Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Real Madrid’s in-house television channel have launched a scathing attack against referee Gil Manzano
Manzano will take charge of their upcoming LaLiga match with Celta Vigo this weekend
He was the man in the middle for Real’s 2-2 draw with Valencia last season that ended in controversial circumstances
The latest video dubs Manzano ‘the referee at the centre of the biggest refereeing scandal in recent times’.
The ‘scandal’ in question, perhaps points to Manzano’s decision not to award Real Madrid a winner over a year ago in their 2-2 draw with Valencia.
In the ninth minute of added time – with seven initially indicated by the fourth official – Real had a corner which was headed away, but the ball was quickly crossed back into the box towards Jude Bellingham.
However, despite it being a genuine goal-scoring opportunity for the visitors, who had battled back from 2-0 down, Manzano blew for full-time just before the cross, which was headed home by Bellingham, sparking outrage amongst the Los Blancos players.
Though the incident happened more than a year ago – March 2024 – the Spanish giants seemingly have not forgotten, and saw fit to criticise the referee ahead of Sunday’s game.
Furthermore, data from Spanish outlet Marca suggests that games that have been officiated by Manzano have ended up with Real Madrid on the winning side on 40 of 52 occasions.
Real Madrid are coming off the back of a bruising 3-2 defeat in extra time in the Copa del Rey final against arch-nemesis Barcelona.
The game was overshadowed however by three red cards for Real in added time of extra time, one of which was shown after Antonio Rudiger threw an ice pack at De Burgos Bengoetxea.
Real Madrid lost the Copa del Rey final last weekend after Real Madrid TV had launched another attack on the referee ahead of the game
Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea (left) was criticised by Real Madrid TV earlier this week
That game saw Antonio Rudiger receive one of three Real Madrid red cards after throwing an icepack at De Burgos Bengoetxea
The German international was could also be seen insulting the referee, with some reports claiming the defender said ‘you’re a miscarriage’ and ‘son of a wh***’, and was later handed a six-game ban for his actions.
Ahead of the game, which was thrown into chaos by Real’s accusations, Los Blancos swiftly pulled out of their scheduled pre-match media duties and cancelled their official training session in response to De Burgos Bengoetxea’s press conference. However, the club later confirmed they would still fulfil the fixture.
Earlier on Friday, Real had already released an initial statement defending the video aired by RMTV as being ‘protected by freedom of expression’ and accusing the refereeing team of showing ‘clear and manifest animosity and hostility’ towards them.
They urged the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the Refereeing Committee to ‘act accordingly’ to safeguard the credibility of the match.
Although Real did not formally demand that De Burgos and his officiating team be replaced, a club source told Reuters the press conference was viewed as a ‘clear conflict of interest’ that had left the club in a state of ‘unprecedented astonishment’.
RFEF president Rafael Louzan appealed for ‘calm, responsibility and common sense’ but refused to comment further on whether any officiating changes would be made.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick also called for greater protection for match officials amid the mounting tensions.
‘It is our responsibility to protect not only the players but all the people involved in the game,’ Flick said.
