Real Madrid Complains About Lack of Protection from Referees: Opponents Receive Only Yellows for Fouls Against Them, While Barcelona Sees More Yellow Cards Given to Their Foes

According to reports from the Spanish newspaper AS, in the recently concluded rounds of La Liga matches, the issue of refereeing standards has once again become a focal point, especially concerning the officiating involving Real Madrid. Statistics show that Real Madrid suffered 59 fouls in the first four rounds, yet their opponents only received two yellow cards. In contrast, Barcelona was fouled 53 times during the same period, leading to their opponents receiving 13 yellow cards.

Although the season has just begun, the consistency of refereeing standards has already attracted attention. Currently, Barcelona leads the league table with a perfect record, while Real Madrid trails by four points. However, apart from their positions on the league table, there is a significant difference between the two teams in terms of the number of yellow cards their opponents have received: Barcelona’s opponents receive the most yellow cards, whereas Real Madrid’s opponents receive the least.

Data shows that Barcelona’s opponents accumulated 13 yellow cards over four matches, averaging more than three per game, which ranks among the top in Europe’s five major leagues. Conversely, Real Madrid’s opponents only received two yellow cards, one from Las Palmas and another from Valladolid. Despite fouling Real Madrid 17 and 11 times respectively, neither Betis nor Mallorca were shown yellow cards.

In comparison, Real Madrid was fouled six more times than Barcelona, yet their opponents received 11 fewer yellow cards. This phenomenon has led to questions within Real Madrid and among its fans about the refereeing standards, believing that teams playing against Barcelona easily receive yellow cards, but not so when playing against Real Madrid.

In the first four rounds, aside from Barcelona, Valencia and Villarreal also saw their opponents receive 12 yellow cards each, ranking second. Atlético Madrid’s opponents received nine yellow cards, placing seventh. Meanwhile, Real Madrid ranks last among all teams.

Moreover, data shows that in the past 43 domestic league matches, no opponent of Real Madrid has been directly sent off with a red card. During the same period, five Real Madrid players were sent off despite committing 204 fewer fouls than their opponents.

This series of data discrepancies has not only become a topic of discussion on media outlets like Real Madrid TV but also raises doubts about whether there are different refereeing standards when it comes to Real Madrid and its main competitors. At least in the first four rounds, Real Madrid seems to have felt more unfair treatment than other teams.