Former Barcelona full-back slams Real Madrid amid fresh refereeing controversy | OneFootball

Refereeing in Spanish football has been a subject of focus in recent weeks, after Real Madrid released a furious statement following some controversial decisions awarded against them.

The title race in La Liga has taken a fresh twist, and Barcelona could find themselves top of the table soon after their great rivals drew away at Osasuna, a game in which Jude Bellingham was sent off and a penalty was awarded to the hosts.

Real Madrid officials and fans have been far from happy with some of the decisions awarded against them, but they have also been the beneficiaries of surprising refereeing calls, and their progress in the Copa Del Rey has now been highlighted.

Former Barcelona defender Óscar Mingueza is now playing for Celta Vigo, and started in their 5-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey in January. Celta fought back from two goals down to equalize and take the game to extra time, but the result could have been very different.

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Celta felt they should have been awarded a penalty after Andriy Lunin brought down Williot Swedberg in the area, but a foul was not awarded, with Kylian Mbappe scoring less than a minute later.

Speaking to Cadena Ser, via SPORT, Mingueza has now pointed out that his side could have made an official complaint about the decision, in response to Real Madrid’s recent complaints.

“Just after what had happened to us, the following week they made the statement. We mentioned it as an anecdote, we could have made a statement too,” Mingueza stated.

Mingueza made 66 appearances for Barcelona before departing in 2022, and he has since established himself as a key player at Celta, with the Spaniard also recently linked with a move to Aston Villa.

If Barcelona can secure three points against Rayo Vallecano, they can go top of La Liga table on goal difference, ahead of Real Madrid, in what promises to be an exciting title race.