Spanish football faces a major crisis after an unnamed linesman claimed he was ordered to favour Real Madrid in their upcoming match against Barcelona.
The unnamed assistant submitted a complaint to anti-corruption prosecutors claiming that the refereeing committee of the football federation (RFEF) had instructed him to show bias to Madrid in the November 21 match at the Bernabeu.
This complaint has subsequently been leaked to the Spanish media, with Jose Angel Jimenez Muñoz de Morales alleged to be the official who told the linesman to back the hosts.
Muñoz de Morales said he had not had a chance to read the complaint, claiming: “I have no idea where they come from. But they’re Kafkaesque, to not call them something else.”
Barcelona’s vice-president, Susana Monje, told Marca: “I hope it does not prove to be true because it could be dangerous for the competition and its prestige.”
Great El Clasico moments
The linesman alleges that he was told the instructions to favour Madrid “came from within [the refereeing authorities]”.
La Liga president Javier Tebas labelled the accusations “implausible” as officals have not yet been confirmed for the crucial match.
“It does not make sense ... when the referee (and assistants) for that match ... have not been assigned, nor for any of the other games on that matchday,” he said.
El Clasico is one of the biggest fixtures in world football, with an estimated TV audience of half a billion. Barcelona won the last meeting between the two sides 2-1 in March on their way to a 23rd Liga title and second Treble.
