Real Madrid point fingers at Barcelona and Negreira case in refereeing row | OneFootball

Real Madrid have been at loggerheads with the refereeing in La Liga for a while now and their belief has seemingly been further reinforced this season after some controversial decisions in the first four matchdays.

Los Blancos were at the receiving end of one such decision on Saturday when they had Dean Huijsen sent off against Real Sociedad and there was no VAR intervention despite there being a glaring error in the decision.

Real Madrid blame Barcelona, Negreira case

Now, according to MARCA, Real Madrid have had enough. At least that is the prevailing view in Valdebebas, where club officials believe the margin for error is over. They interpret the refereeing decisions in the opening four league matches as premeditated.

From Valdebebas, the signals were already clear: Real Madrid have shifted their approach and are now pointing directly towards Barcelona, drawing comparisons between decisions taken in matches involving the two teams.

The Spanish capital club has repeatedly underlined in recent weeks how past refereeing practices have had a ripple effect on today’s officiating. However, there has been a marked change in the strategy of the leadership.

Until recently, analysis focused primarily on errors or correct calls made in matches involving Real Madrid directly. Now, the club’s messaging, primarily through Real Madrid TV, increasingly references Barcelona.

Real Madrid at war with the refereeing system. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

In the coming days, referee Gil Manzano will also be in the spotlight, but the underlying narrative remains: the current system cannot be trusted while doubts persist, and Barcelona’s payments to Negreira form the core of that suspicion.

Comparisons between refereeing decisions involving both clubs are now central to the discourse. Real Madrid are no longer limiting its focus to its own matches but is scrutinising what happens with Barcelona as well.

Penalties, red cards, and disciplinary actions are all cited to build a case. One particular statistic has been highlighted: from February 2016 to March 2018, Barcelona were not penalised with a single penalty against them.

Determined to go all the way

In the coming weeks, the Negreira case will gain further relevance as former Barcelona managers such as Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde, as well as club president, Joan Laporta are called to testify.

Spanish football is still waiting for a definitive ruling, but Real Madrid have made clear they intend to pursue the case to the end.

Florentino Perez himself underlined this commitment to club members, stressing that past payments to Negreira have cast a long shadow over today’s refereeing.