Sevilla has raised concerns over the actions of Real Madrid TV, the official television channel of Real Madrid, accusing them of conducting a “campaign of persecution and harassment” against the referees set to officiate the upcoming LaLiga match between the two clubs. This move comes in response to Real Madrid TV’s broadcast of criticisms towards referee and VAR decisions both before and after matches, with opponents suggesting that such actions are an attempt to influence match officials.
In a statement released on Saturday, Sevilla confirmed that they have filed a written complaint with the Competition Committee of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) regarding the alleged persecution and harassment of referees Isidro Díaz de Mera and Pablo González Fuertes (VAR) orchestrated by Real Madrid TV. The club is seeking clarification on whether these actions violate competition rules or any other regulations within the league.
The criticism towards Real Madrid TV is not isolated to Sevilla, as Barcelona president Joan Laporta has also expressed his disapproval of the videos released by the channel. Laporta deemed the actions as “shameful” and urged the RFEF to intervene in the matter. Similarly, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández has highlighted the potential influence of such videos on the overall competition, stating that they have a significant impact week after week.
The head of Spain’s refereeing body (CTA), Luis Media Cantalejo, has condemned the actions of Real Madrid TV, accusing them of exerting undue pressure on referees. Cantalejo emphasized that such behavior is unprecedented in his 40 years of experience in refereeing and is detrimental not only to the refereeing community but also to the overall image of Spanish football.
The ongoing feud between Sevilla and Real Madrid TV underscores the importance of maintaining integrity and respect within football. The allegations of persecution and harassment against referees raise questions about the role of media channels affiliated with football clubs and the impact of their actions on the fairness of the competition. It remains to be seen how the RFEF will address the complaints raised by Sevilla and whether any disciplinary actions will be taken against Real Madrid TV for their alleged misconduct.
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