Luka Modric netted a sensational goal ten minutes from time to hand Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Sevilla at Santiago Bernabeu last weekend. The game, however, was not without its fair share of controversy.
Ahead of kickoff, Sevilla filed a complaint against Real Madrid TV to La Liga for promoting videos against the selected referee on the night, thereby putting pressure on him to favour the hosts.
Once the game unfolded, however, it became clear that the referee was dead against Carlo Ancelotti’s men regardless.
In the recent episode of his podcast, Einfach mal Luppen, Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos opened up about the recent clash against Sevilla and the audacious officiating on the night that saw several decisions go against Los Blancos. He began by taking a sly dig at the referee on the night, Isidro Diaz de Mera Escuderos, saying,
“The referee against Sevilla? God sees everything and probably injured his calf.”
He went on to explain his choice of words against the match official and pointed out the numerous decisions that went against Real Madrid on the night which only frustrated the players.
I’m not someone who likes to deal with the referees during the game, I never do but it was a lot. I think during the whole first half (against Sevilla) they were whistling against us for everything. Even things that weren’t wrong at all.”
He went on to detail how the referee blew the whistle against him for a foul even when he was trying to get away from the Sevilla player looking to attract contact on the night.
“What made me so angry with my actions was that I was actually three feet away. That was crazy. I’m basically moving away from the opponent. I see that he’s starting to dribble in his box and he just wants to collide with me. Then I move away until he doesn’t collide with me much, but the referee ignored that.”
Speaking about the referee’s calf injury at the hour mark and the official who came on to replace him, the German maestro said,
“We had two or three really good chances. The referee did everything wrong, he got hurt at the wrong time. I have to say the fourth official is a much better referee. He did a good job.”
Kroos also specifically commented on his controversial moment with Sergio Ramos on the night, which many felt could have seen the player sent off. The midfielder, however, was confident that there was no chance of the same.
“I wouldn’t have got a second yellow as at that moment I felt that I had it under control. Sergio Ramos was kind to pay attention that way. He has been in this situation many times and he knows how it is. But for him, it was usually a foul and he was just as upset.”
Finally, the midfield legend revealed a quote he came across in the recent past that aptly summarised the refereeing against Sevilla.
“I read somewhere that if Toni Kroos and Carlo Ancelotti have seen yellow cards for protesting, then something is wrong, then something must be wrong.”
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