Referees Committee admit error in Real Madrid red card but suspension handed out | OneFootball

Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen has been handed a suspension for his red card against Real Sociedad, which sparked controversy over the weekend. Los Blancos were furious with the decision, with manager Xabi Alonso declaring referee Jesus Gil’s explanations ‘unconvincing’.

In the latest episode of Real Madrid’s campaign against officiating in Spain, Los Blancos are set to submit a dossier to FIFA claiming a bias against them, or gross negligence. The incident saw Huijsen bring down Mikel Oyarzabal as he raced clear of the defence, but Real Madrid maintain that Eder Militao was close enough to cover for him before the Txuri-Urdin captain bore down on goal.

CTA admit Huijsen red card should have been a yellow

During their analysis of this week’s controversial calls, the Referees Committee (CTA) explain that the colour of the card hinges on whether the referee sees the foul as preventing ‘a promising attack’ and ‘a clear goalscoring opportunity.’ They say that the CTA consider that ‘a yellow card would have been a more accurate decision’ if the official considers that Militao is close enough to put in a challenge, and due to the distance of Oyarzabal from goal. However the referee understood Huijsen was denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Due to the fact that it was not a ‘clear and obvious error’, the CTA are behind the decision of the VAR not to intervene in the matter, coming down to interpretation of the incident. They say that the decision is in a grey area, and as such, they are justified in leaving the referee with their original interpretation, and that the ability of Militao to dispute the ball before a shot on goal remains open to interpretation.

Huijsen suspension holds after red card

Feeling that the referee’s interpretation was not just, Real Madrid had appealed the decision, but were required to do so before the CTA’s analysis, meaning they could not include it in their evidence. Cadena Cope say that Huijsen has been handed a one-game ban, which would see him miss their clash with Espanyol this weekend. Los Blancos are yet to hear back from their appeal.