Barcelona have weighed in on the controversy surrounding Real Madrid’s recent 3-3 draw against Rayo Vallecano, which has sparked significant debate over referee Juan Martínez Munuera’s officiating.
The match saw Madrid fight back from a two-goal deficit, but it ended in frustration for the defending champions, who felt they were denied a crucial penalty in the 75th minute when Vinícius Junior was allegedly fouled by Rayo defender Abdul Mumin.
Despite clear appeals from Madrid players, Munuera chose not to award the spot-kick, a decision that has ignited widespread criticism.
In a rare move, rival club Barcelona also voiced their concerns, accusing Munuera of inconsistency in his officiating.
They pointed out that Vinícius, who is said to have Cameroonian roots, was only given a yellow card for using profanities during the match, while Hansi Flick had been sent off for a similar infraction earlier in the season.
Barcelona argued that this inconsistency undermines fair competition in La Liga.
Real Madrid also expressed their discontent, using social media to state that “controversial officiating prevents a Madrid victory.”
The draw leaves Madrid one point behind league leaders Barcelona, increasing the pressure as both teams gear up for crucial upcoming fixtures.
