Real Madrid
Ten referees punished after controversial calls go against Madrid
After huge errors in Madrid’s defeat to Espanyol, the president of the referee committee in Spain called an urgent meeting.
Early on Monday morning, all referees from the First and Second Divisions held an emergency meeting with the leadership of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA).
The president, Luis Medina Cantalejo, delivered a stern speech expressing his anger over the mistakes made over the weekend. He also announced disciplinary actions against nearly a dozen referees from both divisions, including Muñiz Ruiz and Iglesias Villanueva, the main referee and VAR respectively in the Espanyol-Real Madrid match.
Latest news
The fallout from what was a very turbulent day is beginning. Medina Cantalejo has called all La Liga referees to account. He emphasized that what is considered the best competition in the world cannot afford refereeing mistakes as serious as those witnessed this past weekend, particularly with the assistance of VAR.
Espanyol-Madrid referee suspended along with VAR official
The reprimand was so severe that it led to the announcement of a suspension until further notice for a dozen referees from both the First and Second Divisions. The message is clear: serious errors come with consequences.
Among those suspended are Muñiz Ruiz and Iglesias Villanueva, the referee and VAR in the controversial Espanyol-Real Madrid match. This match became the focal point of the day’s controversy, particularly due to a tackle on Mbappé that was not penalized.

As Iturralde González put it, the foul was “red, very red, more than red” — an excessive tackle that could have seriously injured Mbappé. Despite the severity of the play, the referee issued only a warning. What shocked the football world, however, was that VAR did not intervene to correct the oversight.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.