RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Real Madrid TV launches new refereeing criticism by dragging Lamine Yamal into the debate: ‘Extremely lenient with violent fouls’
Real Madrid may have begun the 2026/27 La Liga season with three points, but their opening weekend was followed by a familiar controversy away from the pitch.
Following the win over Espanyol , Real Madrid TV returned to one of its most debated themes: refereeing decisions involving the first team.
This time, the club’s official television channel focused on the treatment received by Vinicius Jr. and drew a direct comparison with Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal.
The basis of their argument was that Vinicius was repeatedly fouled without Espanyol players being punished with yellow cards, while Lamine Yamal received greater protection in a comparable situation.
Vinicius at the centre of refereeing complaints
Real Madrid’s opening-day victory came after a late goal by Carlo Espi secured all three points, but the match was far from short of tension.
Vinicius was involved in several heated moments with Espanyol players and supporters, while Real Madrid TV closely analysed the referee’s decisions throughout the game.
One incident in particular caught the attention of the club’s channel. An early challenge from Cala on Vinicius was highlighted as a potential yellow-card offence in the third minute.
Real Madrid TV did not spare the match referee. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Real Madrid TV was critical of referee Sanchez Martinez for allowing play to continue without a booking, arguing that the decision set the tone for the rest of the match.
The channel said: “Sanchez Martinez did not show him the yellow card.
“This was the first major decision of the referee from the city of Murcia, and he would continue along this approach, alongside Figueroa Vazquez in the video assistant referee technology.”
Real Madrid TV went further, accusing the match officials of being too lenient with challenges on Vinicius.
It claimed the officials were “extremely lenient with the violent fouls committed by Espanyol’s players, especially those to which Vinicius was subjected.”
According to the channel, several of the challenges on the Brazilian appeared designed to “take him out of the match’s atmosphere,” but did not result in the cards Real Madrid felt were deserved.
Real Madrid TV brings Lamine Yamal into the debate
Real Madrid TV compared the incident from Elche vs Barcelona. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images)
The most eye-catching part of the video came when Real Madrid TV compared Vinicius’ treatment with that of Lamine Yamal.
The Barcelona forward was used as an example to question the consistency of refereeing decisions in La Liga.
Real Madrid TV pointed to an incident involving Yamal in which an opposition player was shown a yellow card after a slight tug on the youngster.
The channel then contrasted that situation with the repeated fouls Vinicius suffered against Espanyol.
“Lamine’s fouls are penalised with a yellow card at the slightest contact,” the channel claimed.
Lastly, Real Madrid TV also argued that Cala should have received a red card for a later challenge on Alvaro Carreras.
Source: MARCA
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