Watch: Mbappe’s unfiltered reaction to Espanyol controversy | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s recent defeat against Espanyol saw a controversial moment during the 60th minute of the match when Carlos Romero fouled Kylian Mbappe.

The referee, Munoz Ruiz, issued a yellow card for the foul, but many believe this decision should have been much harsher.

It is argued that Romero’s tackle warranted a red card and an immediate expulsion from the match, especially since, just minutes later, Romero went on to score the winning goal for Espanyol.

The blame for this decision falls not only on the field referee but also on the VAR (Video Assistant Referee), with English referee Javier Iglesias Villanueva coming under scrutiny.

The field referee should have recognized the severity of the foul, but if he didn’t, the VAR official should have alerted him to reconsider the decision. The VAR system is there to correct such clear mistakes, but in this case, it failed to intervene.

Mbappe’s reaction

After the match, Mbappe was seen heading to the team bus. When asked about the incident, he simply responded with a gesture, zipping his lips, which indicated his decision to stay silent on the matter.

The refereeing guidelines for the season are very clear when it comes to protecting players’ safety.

According to the official circular, referees are required to ensure the physical integrity of players and should issue a red card for tackles that use excessive force or put a player at risk of injury.

Given the circumstances of the foul, where Mbappe was clearly in danger, a red card should have been shown to Romero.

This incident will likely be discussed in detail at the upcoming refereeing meeting next Friday, and it could also be addressed during the pre-match gathering of clubs with the refereeing body.

With such clear regulations in place, this decision may be reviewed to prevent similar situations in the future.