Real Madrid secured a La Liga victory over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabéu, following a VAR review of an incident involving midfielder Arda Güler. Mateo Busquets Ferrer officiated the fixture, managing a charged atmosphere following recent disciplinary scrutiny surrounding the Madrid club.
Hostility at the Bernabéu and the Bernabéu Pressure Cooker
The expulsion of Vinícius against Villarreal added fuel to the fire, culminating in a four-match ban handed down by the Competition Committee. Officials appointed to oversee Madrid understand they will be scrutinized under a microscope, where any controversial call against the white team risks shaping their professional careers. In this climate, the primary objective for the refereeing crew is to tread lightly and avoid drawing undue attention.
VAR Review Shields Güler After Off-the-Ball Clash
The fixture presented a test for Mateo Busquets Ferrer, the youngest referee in Primera División, who at 32 years old is an international badge holder. The Technical Committee of Referees had backed the Mallorca native for his composure and ability to defuse tension. His record with the white team included six wins and two draws in eight matches. Yet the match nearly unraveled in the 22nd minute. Arda Güler sprinted across the halfway line while battling for position with Peque, who repeatedly held him. The Turkish midfielder attempted to shake off his marker before lashing out with his arm. Busquets Ferrer had his back turned to the action, leaving total responsibility to the video assistant referee.
🟥 El Sevilla FC 𝐩𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐥𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐀𝐫𝐝𝐚 𝐆𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐫 por agresión sobre Peque.#LALIGAEASPORTS #LaCasaDelFútbol pic.twitter.com/twS1rdseI2
The VOR room was captained by Guillermo Cuadra Fernández, a Madrid-born referee assigned to the Balearic Committee who was demoted last season despite holding international status. Cuadra initiated a review lasting up to three minutes before ultimately deciding against intervention. Regulations dictate that a player striking an opponent in the face or neck with an arm during a non-football challenge must be dismissed unless the force used is negligible. While Güler’s arm impact was firm, the exact point of contact remained unclear. Television broadcasts failed to provide a conclusive angle, leading the VAR to discard intervention due to a lack of clear evidence proving violent conduct to Busquets Ferrer. Paradoxically, Güler scored the opening goal minutes later, setting Madrid on course for victory.
El Clásico Referee Selection and Alternative Candidates
The Technical Committee of Referees deliberated longer than usual over the appointment for the Clásico. A media report previously claimed Alejandro Hernández Hernández would take charge of the fixture, though it will not be the case. The designation committee comprises Gregorio Manzano, Fernando Teixeira Vitienes, and CTA president Fran Soto. Appointing a Barcelona-Madrid encounter carries media and strategic weight that transcends purely sporting criteria, placing heavy responsibility on Spanish refereeing leadership.
🖌️ 𝑼𝒏𝒂 𝒐𝒃𝒓𝒂 𝒅𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒆.El golazo de Arda Güler para inaugurar el marcador del Real Madrid vs Sevilla FC.#LALIGAEASPORTS #LaCasaDelFútbol pic.twitter.com/aTTrodqQt1
Several international referees emerged as candidates for the match. Juan Martínez Munuera posted a strong start to the league campaign with high-level performances in demanding fixtures, including Sevilla against Barcelona. José Luis Munuera Montero established himself as a reliable official over the preceding two seasons, offering a conciliatory demeanor suited to the current climate. Javier Alberola Rojas, who recently ascended to the First category in the European ranking, is another option. Meanwhile, José María Sánchez Martínez remains a dependable alternative with experience across seven Clásicos.
