Madrid Universal
·1 settembre 2025
Watch – Xabi Alonso’s reaction to Barcelona’s controversial penalty against Rayo Vallecano

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Yahoo sportsMadrid Universal
·1 settembre 2025
Barcelona’s 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano on Matchday 3 of La Liga was not just a tale of missed chances and shared points.
The game once again highlighted the refereeing inconsistencies that continue to irritate Real Madrid and the fans.
The controversy came during a chaotic spell at Vallecas, where Lamine Yamal’s penalty incident took place in the middle of a stretch without VAR intervention.
The lack of clarity immediately reignited debates around officiating in Spanish football, with questions being fired at players, managers, and even refereeing bodies.
For Real Madrid, these moments are a constant source of tension. The club has repeatedly voiced concerns over how decisions impact the league, and the episode at Vallecas was yet another example fuelling their frustration.
The focus quickly shifted to Xabi Alonso, who faced the media storm almost by accident.
On Monday morning, as he arrived at Valdebebas to oversee training, the manager stopped his car to greet fans and sign autographs.
Among those waiting was a cameraman from El Chiringuito TV, who pressed Alonso for his opinion on the controversial penalty call in the Rayo-Barcelona clash.
With a mix of humour and irony, Alonso responded, “I knew you were going to ask me about that.”
When the reporter attempted to push further, Alonso politely avoided any comment, simply saying, “I’m going to sign.”
His refusal to be drawn into the debate is a calm and diplomatic approach, steering clear of adding fuel to an already heated discussion.
The silence, however, spoke volumes. By choosing not to comment, Alonso avoided controversy while still acknowledging the topic that has once again dominated headlines in Spain.