Watch: CTA chief seen alongside Barcelona president at Vallecas as frustration grows at Real Madrid | OneFootball

Barcelona’s 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano on Matchday 3 of La Liga was not just about the football on the pitch – it also exposed once again the refereeing issues that continue to frustrate Real Madrid.

For Los Blancos, the game in Vallecas was another reminder that the Catalans always seem to receive a helping hand when results are not going their way.

The key moment came in the 37th minute when Lamine Yamal went down inside the box. Referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer immediately awarded a penalty to Barcelona, despite it being an action that should never have been given.

To make matters worse, VAR was unavailable at that time due to technical problems, so there was no chance for the error to be corrected.

This type of decision could have a major impact on the title race later in the season, and Madrid fans have every reason to feel concerned.

Laporta’s presence adds to the controversy

Beyond the penalty incident, there was another detail that did not go unnoticed at Vallecas.

In the stands, Joan Laporta was seen arriving alongside Fran Soto, the head of the CTA, just before kick-off.

This image inevitably brought back memories of the infamous “Negreira Case,” in which Barcelona were accused of maintaining questionable links with refereeing officials.

The reaction across Spanish football has been one of outrage and indignation.

For many, it reinforced the feeling that Barcelona are protected at crucial moments, while clubs like Real Madrid are left to compete under different standards.

As the international break arrives, there is little doubt that this controversy will be brushed aside in the media, much to Barcelona’s benefit.

But for Real Madrid, the message is that if they want to reclaim the La Liga title this season, they must be prepared to fight not only against their rivals on the pitch but also against the refereeing environment.