Real Madrid’s toxic targeting of referees is a symbol of the Spanish grandees’ decline | Jonathan Wilson

Super League patron Florentino Pérez sets the tone with his destructive acts of pettiness, dragging down a once noble clubReferees have never been so disdained and despised as they are now. Those who do not think they are corrupt, think they are incompetent. Standards, apparently, have never been lower. Clubs and their fans rage about conspiracies. But even in the present context, the scenes at the end of last Saturday’s Copa del Rey final were unprecedented as Antonio Rüdiger threw an ice-pack at the referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea.And to think this is a club that used to pride itself on its sense of its señorio, its gentlemanliness, to the extent that in Steve McManaman’s day players were given a code of conduct; the familiar line used to be whinging about referees was for the cry-babies of Barcelona. Continue reading...

Comments

Football news

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has four days to solve three problems ahead of PSG clash

A restless fanbase, damning stats and plans for a summer overhaul - the problems are piling up for Graham Potter at West Ham, writes JAMES SHARPE

about 5 hours ago

Man United 'set to swoop for ex-Chelsea scout', with Sir Jim Ratcliffe viewing veteran talent-spotter as 'key part of transfer overhaul' at Old Trafford

about 5 hours ago

Controversial Man Utd and Real Madrid £29m transfer plan labelled 'pure invention'

about 7 hours ago

Arne Slot shrugs off Liverpool's Club World Cup snub as Reds boss questions adding 'another tournament' to packed calendar amid player burnout concerns

about 7 hours ago

Man Utd line up axed Chelsea scout with Sir Jim Ratcliffe pinning all hopes on him to transform woeful transfer policy

Marc Cucurella insists Liverpool 'deserve' a guard of honour after winning the Premier League title... ahead of Reds' visit to Stamford Bridge

about 8 hours ago

Chelsea will make the top five this season but need old heads to push on, writes DANNY MURPHY

Meet the former Aston Villa reject who owns a £3BILLION agricultural technology company after retiring at 31 - but can't afford to pay £15,000-a-month support for his kids

about 10 hours ago

Chart-topping Noughties popstar belts out one of her famous hits with Burnley stars in dressing room as she makes shock appearance to celebrate their promotion to Premier League

about 10 hours ago

Martin Odegaard brands Arsenal's second-half capitulation against Bournemouth 'not acceptable' - as Mikel Arteta urges his players to use the 'rage' from the defeat in crunch PSG clash

about 10 hours ago

Jamie Redknapp delivers damning verdict on Arsenal's glaring weakness as alarming statistic emerges after 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth

about 10 hours ago

Wrexham chief 'faces grilling in parliament' after disqualification scandal

Comments

Similar News

Controversial Man Utd and Real Madrid £29m transfer plan labelled 'pure invention'

Liverpool ready to let Trent Alexander-Arnold join Real Madrid EARLY… but it will cost the Spaniards

Carlo Ancelotti drops major hint over Real Madrid future amid links to Brazil national team

Transfer rumors, news: Real Madrid want Alexander-Arnold before Liverpool deal ends

Mikel Arteta responds to Real Madrid over William Saliba transfer

Jurgen Klopp called into question after close friend’s private chat fuels Real Madrid links

Man United's 'asking price for Antony is revealed' as a rival LaLiga club 'join the race' for in-form Real Betis loan star

Man Utd ‘asked to buy back former left-back in order for Real Madrid to complete bizarre transfer’

Real Madrid want to use Manchester United as ‘bridge transfer’ to sign £51m defender

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta drops major hint on William Saliba's future amid Real Madrid interest

Antony ‘could make shock transfer to Champions League giants as Man Utd receive enquiry after stunning Real Betis loan’

Arsenal face Champions League rivals battle as they look to follow Real Madrid and Chelsea with wonderkid transfer

Mikel Arteta makes Arsenal stance on William Saliba clear amid Real Madrid interest

Letters: Will we ever see real action on chronic pain and drug deaths?

Inside 'Antony Fever' at Real Betis: How Man United's £86m flop turned his career around - 'I'll pay to kidnap him so he stays this summer'

Xabi Alonso ally fears Real Madrid bound boss at 'risk' of losing dressing room already as formidable four await

Transfer rumors, news: Real Madrid to rival Man United for Mastantuono

Revealed: The meaning behind Antony's celebration after his stunning winner for Real Betis - as Man United loanee continues to shine after Old Trafford exit

Antony scores superb winner in Real Betis' victory over Fiorentina - as club legend jokes he will KIDNAP the £86m Man United flop to stop him returning to Old Trafford

Real Betis legend jokes he will 'kidnap' Antony as Man Utd star keeps up hot form

Football news

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has four days to solve three problems ahead of PSG clash

How to watch Rangers vs Celtic: TV channel and live stream for Old Firm derby in Scottish Premiership today

Why isn't West Ham vs Tottenham live on TV in UK today?

Arne Engels unseen response to Celtic challenge from Brendan Rodgers as 'behaviour' shift revealed

Liam Scales looks back on pivotal Celtic moment that launched career as he reveals madcap Rangers preparation

I know exactly how Barry Ferguson will react if Celtic beat Rangers and my phone will be off for old pal

Ryan Jack names the Rangers turning point against Brendan Rodgers that must happen again to dethrone Celtic

Brendan Rodgers is right when Celtic boss says we are guessing his thinking but I'll bet on one thing - Hugh Keevins

Man Utd target £42.5m budget boost for Ruben Amorim as two transfer priorities identified

Liverpool news: Arne Slot drops transfer hint as guard of honour decision made

Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal eye Antony & Gyokeres, Man Utd’s Cunha boost, Liverpool latest

Arne Slot says Liverpool could get major boost in next term's title race as theory raised

Man Utd can repeat Bruno Fernandes transfer with ready-made star who wants to join

Mikel Arteta told decision on Arsenal star cost Gunners in Bournemouth defeat

Man Utd transfer news: Real Madrid plan scuppered as fresh Antony enquiry made

Mikel Arteta takes aim at Premier League for changing rules after furious statement

Arne Slot praises 'underrated' Liverpool star for role in Premier League title win

A restless fanbase, damning stats and plans for a summer overhaul - the problems are piling up for Graham Potter at West Ham, writes JAMES SHARPE

Man United 'set to swoop for ex-Chelsea scout', with Sir Jim Ratcliffe viewing veteran talent-spotter as 'key part of transfer overhaul' at Old Trafford

Controversial Man Utd and Real Madrid £29m transfer plan labelled 'pure invention'

Arne Slot shrugs off Liverpool's Club World Cup snub as Reds boss questions adding 'another tournament' to packed calendar amid player burnout concerns

Man Utd line up axed Chelsea scout with Sir Jim Ratcliffe pinning all hopes on him to transform woeful transfer policy

Mason Greenwood puts Premier League on red alert with ex-Man Utd striker desperate to return to England

Liverpool ready to let Trent Alexander-Arnold join Real Madrid EARLY… but it will cost the Spaniards

‘For a Spanish person it is strange’ – Marc Cucurella reveals thing he doesn’t like in Chelsea song about him

Ian Wright slams ‘soft’ Arsenal stars and makes prediction for PSG clash

PSG suffer another injury scare ahead of Arsenal clash as winger limps off

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe relishing return of injury-hit defender Sven Botman

Bayern Munich denied Bundesliga title after RB Leipzig’s last-gasp equaliser

Steven Gerrard lands three pronged next Rangers manager case from Ibrox ally as 'great option' hyped to takeover kings

Adam Idah sees his 'harsh' Celtic snipers tackled head on by insider as next step mapped out

Martin Odegaard points finger at Arsenal team-mates with two-word blast

Brennan Johnson issues Tottenham rallying cry with honest Ange Postecoglou admission

Arne Slot makes 'shocked' Liverpool title admission as he aims pointed dig at rivals

Arne Slot names major title advantage Liverpool may already be given next season

Marc Cucurella gives honest thoughts on Chelsea handing Liverpool a Guard of Honour

Scales backing Idah to go from strength to strength at Celtic after 'harsh' criticism

Diomande's sense of regret over Rangers' woeful season

Marc Cucurella insists Liverpool 'deserve' a guard of honour after winning the Premier League title... ahead of Reds' visit to Stamford Bridge

Chelsea will make the top five this season but need old heads to push on, writes DANNY MURPHY

Man Utd receive new Antony enquiry as winger 'gives his word' over transfer

Class of 92’s promotion hopes ruined by former team-mate after final day draw drops them out of the play-offs

Relegated Southampton already planning for Aaron Ramsdale transfer exit as they line up EFL star

Arsenal boss Arteta shuts down reporter after being asked revealing question ahead of crucial PSG Champions League clash

Mikel Arteta confirms huge Arsenal injury blow for PSG amid Martin Odegaard concern

Arsenal feeling ‘rage, anger, frustration’ after Bournemouth loss – Mikel Arteta

Arsenal set to be without Jurrien Timber for second leg trip to PSG

Arteta calls on Arsenal players to use their 'rage' as motivation ahead of PSG second leg

'Happy with my decision': Dean Huijsen speaks out on Chelsea and Liverpool links

Ex Aberdeen star hits out at Player of the Year bash timing as St Mirren defeat comes less than 48 hours after awards

Furious Michael Smith breaks dartboard in moment of anger before emotional star issues European Grand Prix apology

Chelsea can exploit FIFA rule change if £30m Liam Delap transfer clause triggered

Mikel Arteta names three things misfiring Arsenal stars have created ahead of PSG clash

Meet the former Aston Villa reject who owns a £3BILLION agricultural technology company after retiring at 31 - but can't afford to pay £15,000-a-month support for his kids

Chart-topping Noughties popstar belts out one of her famous hits with Burnley stars in dressing room as she makes shock appearance to celebrate their promotion to Premier League

Martin Odegaard brands Arsenal's second-half capitulation against Bournemouth 'not acceptable' - as Mikel Arteta urges his players to use the 'rage' from the defeat in crunch PSG clash

Jamie Redknapp delivers damning verdict on Arsenal's glaring weakness as alarming statistic emerges after 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth