Catalan press criticizes refereeing after Real Madrid vs Sevilla

Real Madrid defeated Sevilla 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium during Matchday 9 of the 2025–26 La Liga season, but the fixture was immediately overshadowed by a heated refereeing controversy concerning an unpunished elbow, Eurosport reported.

The 23rd-Minute Elbow Incident

The flashpoint occurred in the 23rd minute while the score remained 0-0. Real Madrid midfielder Arda Güler struck Sevilla forward Peque Fernández in the face with an elbow. Match referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer did not issue a card, and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system did not prompt the official to review the pitchside monitor, according to Eurosport.

Arda Güler scored the opening goal for Los Merengues. Kylian Mbappé subsequently added a brace—scoring through a pivot control and double-contact and converting a penalty he won himself—before Yan Diomandé rounded off the scoring following Manuel Bueno’s consolation goal for the visitors, as detailed by DHnet.

Sevilla’s Post-Match Outrage

Sevilla manager Luis García Plaza blasted the officiating during his post-match press conference, stating that his side was denied the chance to play against ten men for more than two thirds of the match. The Real deserved its victory, 11 against 11. But we were deprived of playing an 11-versus-10 match from the 25th minute, that’s clear. I hope you’ll all write it down, García Plaza said, questioning why the VAR did not intervene, as reported by Sudinfo.

Catalan press criticizes refereeing after Real Madrid vs Sevilla — Photo: DHnet

The Andalusian club also took to social media to protest the officiating. Sevilla published video highlights and questioned broadcasters on X (formerly Twitter), sarcastically sparring over whether an earlier goal should be sent to the Louvre or the Prado museum in references to recent cultural headlines, as noted by So Foot.

Catalan Press Reaction Ahead of the Clásico

Catalan daily newspapers seized on the incident to heighten tensions ahead of the upcoming league fixture against Barcelona. Mundo Deportivo ran front-page headlines denouncing the situation as a chronicle of an announced robbery and a scandal at the Bernabéu, while taking aim at Real Madrid manager José Mourinho’s past complaints, according to Eurosport and Sudinfo.

Meanwhile, Sport published a piece arguing that Real Madrid teams up with the referees, describing match officials as valuable allies to the capital club during high-stakes stretches of the domestic campaign, as outlined by Foot Mercato. L’Esportiu similarly questioned the silence of the VAR room regarding Güler’s challenge.

Real Madrid’s Response to the Controversy

Real Madrid manager José Mourinho dismissed the mounting criticism from opposing managers and regional media outlets when questioned by reporters after the final whistle. Nobody has managed to show me what they say happened, I don’t have the slightest image, Mourinho stated in comments reported by Sudinfo and Foot Mercato. I asked for images from everyone, including my staff, and I didn’t manage to see the slightest image of what they’re talking about and which upset Luis. I tell you this in all honesty.

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Standings and Upcoming Fixtures

The victory keeps Real Madrid in close pursuit of Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table ahead of the season’s first Clásico. Sevilla dropped to sixth place following the defeat at the Bernabéu, where they ran up against an exceptional performance by Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, according to DHnet.

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