Real Madrid Legend Aims Dig At Barcelona Over Refereeing Controversy: “ONLY ONE TEAM”
During a Kings League event, Barcelona legend Gerard Pique was involved in a battle of words with former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas. The two were in conversation over the refereeing advantage in La Liga.
Pique, who recently announced retirement from professional football, argued that Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid have always historically enjoyed and benefitted from the referee’s decision.
“Barça and Madrid have always been the most benefited [from referees],” said Pique (h/t Real Madrid info).
Casillas, though, offered a blunt response to the former Barcelona defender, stating, “No no, one team [Barça] got to go 2 years without receiving a penalty against it, it’s incredible.“
Casillas’ comments, however, come in the midst of speculations over the Spanish referees and their lack of consistency towards Barcelona. Coach Xavi Hernandez has always called out various referees in the cast for poor and questionable refereeing this season.
This attitude has been echoed by fans as well, especially when it comes to referees not awarding Barcelona penalties in key moments of matches.
However, it must be added that Real Madrid, too, have fallen victim to this inconsistent refereeing multiple times over the course of the past few seasons. It is enough the indicate the state of refereeing in Spanish football, which seems to have only gotten worse in recent years.
The comments from Pique and Casillas, therefore, could go a long way in raising and publicising the issue of Spanish refereeing, which has also met with widespread criticism in the Champions League.
