Barcelona legend fires shots at Real Madrid over referee complaints – ‘Been doing it for 120 years’ | OneFootball

Former Barcelona and Spain defender Gerard Pique has fired shots at Real Madrid over their recent complaint regarding the refereeing in the La Liga clash against Espanyol.

The Merengues filed a formal complaint with the RFEF over the match officiating after an incident involving Kylian Mbappe and Espanyol’s Carlos Romero was adjudged controversially by the referee.

Mbappe was on the receiving end of a dangerous and reckless challenge by the Espanyol defender, who got away with just a yellow card, before going onto score the match-winning goal for his team – leaving Real Madrid infuriated.

Gerard Pique slams Real Madrid

As mentioned earlier, Real Madrid have expressed their disappointment and concern about the state of refereeing in La Liga with a formal complaint to the RFEF.

Reacting to the statements made by the Merenges, Barcelona legend Gerard Pique criticised the Spanish capital club, saying:

“It’s a smokescreen. They’ve been doing it for 120 years. That’s the way referees are and that’s the way they’re going to be forever. They are going to be wrong or not. Whether there is VAR or not. Madrid have always done this media pressure thing.”

Mbappe and Romero during Espanyol 1-0 Real Madrid. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The former Barcelona defender took another swipe at Real Madrid when asked about young talents in La Liga, claiming how the Blaugrana produced talents from La Masia while Los Blancos had to pull out their chequebook.

“There are many. In the case of Barça, it is from La Masia, and with Madrid, it comes via the chequebook,” said Pique.

On being asked about his predictions for the La Liga title, Pique put Barcelona first while stating that Real Madrid would finish outside the top three.

“Barcelona first, Atlético second, and Real Madrid third… No! Athletic will be third,” he said.

Source: AS