Hernández Maeso faces hostile Ciutat de València on Levante return | OneFootball

After almost three years, Hernández Maeso returned to officiate Levante, his first since 2023 when his decisions left them without promotion. The Ciutat de València greeted him coldly as Deportivo Alavés came to town.

Mild whistles met the visitors, but the noise rose markedly for the referee. Superdeporte reports that the mood reflected a wound that has not been forgotten.

Inside five minutes, Levante fans fumed when no foul was given as Iván Romero fell while chasing a counter sparked by Kareem Tunde. The half drifted by with only one booking, Víctor Parada.

After the break came a spate of cautions, seven in total, with only one for Levante, Paco Cortés. The home crowd railed at incidents let go, including a possible Alavés handball in their area.

Tension spiked when Antonio Blanco was not penalised after bringing down Olasagasti, only for a push by Iván Romero on an Alavés player to be whistled seconds later. Around the hour, Maeso showed Parada a second yellow, leaving Cacho Coudet's side with one fewer.

Source: Superdeporte