Real Madrid still baffled by Espanyol star’s non-dismissal for tackle on Mbappe after hearing VAR audio | OneFootball

Over the past weeks, the refereeing system in La Liga has come under intense scrutiny, with Real Madrid writing an open letter to lodge a formal complaint with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following their 1-0 defeat to RCD Espanyol.

The Merengues were left outraged by the match official and the VAR’s decision to not show a red card to Espanyol’s Carlos Romero for a horrific tackle on Kylian Mbappe during the game, especially considering that the defender went on to score the winning goal for the Catalans.

Expressing their dismay at the situation, the reigning La Liga champions had lodged a formal complaint, while also requesting the RFEF to release the VAR audio tapes in relation to the incident.

While the Spanish football governing body refused to release the audio publicly, Real Madrid were invited to a meeting at the headquarters in Las Rozas today to listen to the same.

Real Madrid still do not understand the decision

Now, Melchor Ruiz of COPE reports that the meeting between Real Madrid and the Referees’ Technical Association (CTA) took place earlier today at Las Rozas.

However, after an hour and a half of discussions, the Spanish capital club’s stance on the incident remained unchanged.

Indeed, Real Madrid officials left Las Rozas still unable to comprehend why Romero was not sent off for the dangerous high challenge on Mbappe by the referee or the VAR official.

Romero took down Mbappe with a dangerous tackle. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The frustration within the Los Blancos’ camp has only grown since the Espanyol game as they were on the receiving end of two dubious penalty calls which went against them in the matches versus Atletico Madrid and Osasuna.

While they would have hoped to gain some clarity by listening to the audio tapes, it has not been of any benefit, with the Merengues still confounded by the decision.

CTA President reacts

Meanwhile, following the meeting, the president of the CTA, Luis Medina Cantalejo, addressed the media and provided insight into the discussions.

“Obviously, it took time because, within a climate of cordiality and respect, that is how things should proceed. If there had been confrontation, the meeting would have ended in five minutes,” he said.

“But the fact that it lasted so long shows that we spoke with absolute transparency,” Medina Cantalejo added.

The CTA president also denied that any other incidents were reviewed during the meeting, including the controversial red card shown to Jude Bellingham in Real Madrid’s match against Osasuna on Saturday at El Sadar.